There is a great need to consider the issue of death penalty to be introduced into the Nigerian system if that is what will assist in the fight against corruption. Corruption is rampant especially among the ruling elite who are usually given a slap on the wrist when caught with any case of corruption. This trend should stop.

 

To be sincere, the anti- graft war requires stronger bite.  If political office holders know that they may be given capital punishment if found to be corrupt, I  am very sure all of them will begin to tread a path of honor. Recently in Beijing , China , Wen Qiang, a former head of the judiciary in the southwestern Chongquing region was executed after a court found him guilty of corruption. So, government should empower our courts and the anti- graft agencies by introducing death penalty in our laws to punish hardened criminals looting our resources.

 

Recently, one of the fighters of corruption, Mrs. Farida Waziri, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who has always demonstrated zeal when it comes to fighting corruption in Nigeria , called for the advocate of stiffer penalty in curbing corruption. For instance,  she is campaigning for death penalty for corrupt officials, to serve as antidote against corruption. In a statement she made at a forum recently, Waziri stated that "whatever action that it will take for Nigeria to move and make progress against corruption, let us do it, even if it is death penalty. Believe me that is the only way to eradicate corruption in Nigeria . When you execute 20 people, it will serve as a deterrent to others."

 

I am pleading with the President, and the people of Nigeria to help this nation move forward.  Let us join hands together to ensure that corrupt ones in our midst are punished with death penalty. This is surely the best way to ensure sanity and transparency.

 

Maimuna ABUBAKAR

Abuja .