DON ADVOCATES FOR DEATH PENALTY TO CURB CORRUPTION

Death penalty will curb corruption —Don February 8, 2013 by Friday Olokor Leave a Comment Pioneer Director of the United Nations African Institute for Prevention of Crime, Prof. Femi Odekunle, on Thursday in Abuja said introducing death penalty as sanction for public officers, who engage in corruption would help to curb graft in the country. Odekunle, who teaches Criminology at the University of Abuja, while recommending this, said such a severe penalty had worked in countries like Malaysia and China. Speaking while delivering a keynote address entitled ‘Transformation Agenda, Corruption and National Security’, at the presentation of the 2013 brochure by Global Training Consulting, a United Kingdom-based institute, Odekunle noted that over 90 per cent of the country’s resources were “cornered and consumed” by less than 10 per cent of the nation’s population. He said, “The political class, the public sector hierarchy and their companions and collaborators in the private sector consume the 90 per cent. For instance, N1.26tn (22 per cent) of the proposed N4.9tn in 2013 budget is going for the salaries and allowances of about 1,000 top political and public office-holders. “Corruption will come down drastically when those entrusted with public thrust are constantly reminded of the penalties they have to pay if found guilty of corruption charges. Death penalty will put fear in them.” The Director of GTC Energy, Mr. Idy Ekong, said the brochure would assist in the transformation of the country’s energy sector and position it to face the challenges of the 21st century. PUNCH