By S. T Yenge, Esq.
The fight against corruption in Nigeria has been the inescapable task of every administration in Nigeria.
A lot of resources and efforts have been exhausted by several administrations to fight corruption which is refusing to die in Nigeria.
Some patriotic citizens who hate corruption suggested that death penalty should be introduced while others suggested life imprisonment, etc.
Well, I would have agreed with the position of death penalty if only we are patriotic and sincere in prosecuting corrupt persons in Nigeria.
If death penalty is allowed in Nigeria of our age, some wicked Nigerians who wish their perceived enemies dead would do everything possible to kill innocent people through the weak Legal system of ours.
I would prefer that anyone convicted of official corruption should be barred for life from occupying public office in Nigeria or any where in the world.
The power of the president and the governors regarding prerogative rights of mercy or pardon be disabled in corruption cases.
Moreso, Anti-corruption Special Court should be established to deal with corruption cases.
Judges should be appointed exclusively by NGOs who are anti-corruption crusaders.
Judges must include sociologists, psychologists who may not necessarily be lawyers.
The decisions of the Anti-Corruption Special Court shall be appealed to the Anti Corruption Special Supreme Court whose decision must be final.
The duration of the trial involving corruption cases must not exceed 6months for each court.
Any infraction as to duration of the trial or appeal shall be viewed as a judicial misconduct and as an offence which shall be prosecuted by any Nigerian or NGO as the case may be.
In this wise, both the judges and the prosecuting team would be held culpable for breach of the duration of 6months which would exonerate the accused.
In this way corruption fight would be intensified and meaningful results achieved.
I have dropped this opinion because the present administration of President Tinubu has demonstrated the zeal and the determination to tackle corruption indiscriminately in Nigeria without minding who is a member of his cabinet.
Chief S.T Yenge writes from Abuja.
