Fidelis Chinagorom Ndubuaku

The Rule of Mercy Fidelis Chinagorom Ndubuaku

MERCY (according to dictionary denotative meaning) is the forbearance or forgiveness shown towards an enemy or a person in one's power. It is motivated by compassion or pity. There is a practice in government known as rule of law, coined from a Greek word, nomocracy which means "power of law". It means the influence and authority of law within a society especially as a constraint upon behavior including the behavior of government official. It implies that every citizen is subject to the law. It stands in contrast to the idea that the ruler is above the law. The fundamental principles of rule of law propels; an independent impartial judiciary, the presumption of innocence, the right to a fair and public trial without undue delay, a rational and proportionate approach to punishment, a strong and independent legal profession, strict protection of confidential communications between lawyer and client equality of all before the law. Thus, arbitrary arrests, secret trials, indefinite detention without trial, cruel or degrading treatment or punishment, intimidation or corruption in the electoral process are all unacceptable in the rule of law.