Former senior special adviser to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla, has strongly advocated for the introduction of the death penalty for corruption and economic crimes.

This recommendation was made during his address at the 16th Edition of the Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture, organized by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) in Calabar.

In his lecture, Obono-Obla emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to adopt the death penalty for corruption and economic crimes committed by political functionaries, including government workers.

According to him, “Corruption in Nigeria has become deeply entrenched, with four professionals describing the country as ‘fantastically corrupt,’ ‘endemically corrupt,’ ‘compulsively corrupt,’ and ‘pathologically corrupt.’ A recent study by PricewaterhouseCoopers revealed that a staggering 30% of Nigeria’s GDP is lost to corruption. This statistic underscores the need for drastic measures to combat corruption.”

Obono-Obla, who was suspended by Buhari’s government as chairman of the special presidential panel on the recovery of public property for allegedly stepping on big toes, suggested that the death penalty may be a viable solution to curtail rampant corruption in Nigeria.

“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 noted that the debate surrounding the death penalty in Nigeria is ongoing, with some advocating for it as a necessary measure to combat corruption, while others view it as too radical.

Obono-Obla stressed the importance of considering the complexities of the issue and the potential consequences of implementing the death penalty for corruption and economic crimes.