The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) is seeking a new law that would levy death penalty on anyone convicted of corruption in Nigeria.
National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the group has already produced a draft of proposed bill which will be sent to the National Assembly when it reconvenes on September 29, as part of its effort to complement efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari administration towards total eradication of corruption in Nigeria.
According to him, “the proposed bill would specifically target those who steal public funds meant for essential services, especially in the health, education, roads, water, electricity and defence.”
Onwubiko who applauded President Buhari’s ongoing anti-graft campaign, however, faulted the handpicking of judges for cases involving corrupt persons. He argued that such procedure, which is tantamount to the president operating like a monarch keen to usurp the duties of the judiciary, is a breach of the constitution and the principle of separation of powers.
His words: “We can’t allow the nation go through jungle justice anymore. We do not see any merit in the president setting up a panel to screen judges in a bid to get the incorruptible ones. As the head of the executive arm, he doesn’t have the power to screen judges. This is a democracy. He cannot confer on himself the powers unknown in our constitution.”
By Olisemeka Obeche
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