Okoi Obono-Obla, former senior special adviser to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has called for the introduction of the death penalty for corruption and economic crimes, as reported by DAILY POST.
He made this statement during the 16th Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture in Calabar, organized by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity).
Obono-Obla pointed out the severity of corruption in Nigeria, calling it deeply entrenched.
He quoted studies that described Nigeria as “fantastically corrupt” and “pathologically corrupt.”
He also cited a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers that revealed corruption costs Nigeria about 30% of its GDP each year.
The former adviser suggested that the death penalty could be an effective solution to fight corruption, particularly among government officials and political figures.
He noted that Nigeria’s constitution does not forbid the death penalty and it has been in use for over 50 years.
Several countries, including China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, have used the death penalty to curb corruption, according to Obono-Obla.
He argued that while some support the idea of the death penalty as a deterrent, others have raised concerns about its ethics and effectiveness.
“However, it’s essential to consider the broader implications and potential consequences of such a policy. Nigeria’s constitution does not prohibit the death penalty, and it has been applied in the country for over 50 years.”
“Several countries plagued by corruption, such as China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, and South Sudan, have implemented the death penalty as a deterrent.”
“While some argue that the death penalty is an effective deterrent, others, like Amnesty International, have expressed concerns about its effectiveness and ethics,” he said.
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