On June 13, 1988, Pini Jason Onyegbaduo (1948 – 2013), a popular Nigerian columnist, propounded a “Hypothesis of Corruption.”

The hypothesis was intellectually articulated in the now-defunct THISWEEK newsmagazine. But unknown to Pini Jason, he had developed what would become known as the “Jason’s Law of Corruption.”

The “Law” would subsequently help explain the unimaginable acts of corruption being perpetrated by Nigerians, and Africans, in leadership positions.

In a nutshell, Jason’s Law of Corruption states:

“The decibel of an average Nigerian’s public outcry is directly proportional to his distance from the opportunity to do exactly what he condemns.”

Jason’s Law further states:

“The difference between many a vociferous, sanctimonious and pontificating Nigerian and the villainous, itchy-fingered kleptomaniac is probably the absence of the opportunity to steal.”

Jason’s Law concludes:

“In all probability, should the opportunity occur, yesterday’s moral crusader is more likely to crumble and disappear under the weight of corruption.”

Explained in simple terms, Jason’s Law maintains that the farther the distance between a Nigerian (African) and power authority position, the higher the noise he makes against acts of corruption while the nearer he is to the position, the lesser the noise he makes.

and when in the position, the noise ceases.

Suffice to say that Jason’s corruption hypothesis has never failed the test when applied in the analysis of the bizarre behaviour of Nigerians and Africans in power.

It is in this light that the hypothesis has been appropriately upgraded to the status of a “Law on Corruption.”

Therefore, whenever you are confronted with issues of corruption in relation to erstwhile trusted Nigerian and African individuals, who betrayed the trust reposed in them when elevated to positions of power and authority, always remember the “Jason’s law of corruption.

• ATell report/ Previously published by the defunct ‘Thisweek’ magazine, but still relevant in present Africa.