EXCITING NEWS: TNG WhatsApp Channel is LIVE…
Subscribe for FREE to get LIVE NEWS UPDATE. Click here to subscribe!
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has condemned a bill in the House of Representatives seeking amnesty for treasury looters.
The bill seeks to allow those who loot public treasury to return about 70 per cent of the stolen funds in exchange for total amnesty from prosecution.
The bill was sponsored by Linus Okorie (Peoples Democratic Party, Ebonyi).
Falana described the bill as immoral, discriminatory and unconstitutional.
“I want to assume that the sponsors of the bill are not aware that Nigeria has ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. The convention has imposed a duty on the Nigerian Government to fight corruption and not to legalise it,” Falana said.
He added that the bill encourage other forms of Crimes like robbery and kidnapping.
The senior advocate added that the bill was in contravention of sections 15, 42 and 45 of the 1999 Constitution.
Falana added, “The bill is immoral, dangerous, discriminatory, illegal and unconstitutional. It is patently inconsistent with Section 15(5) of the constitution which has imposed a duty on the Nigerian state to abolish corrupt practices.
“It is discriminatory as it is designed to shield looters of our commonwealth alone from prosecution contrary to the letter and spirit of Section 42 of the Constitution. It is dangerous as it is meant to legitimise official corruption and impunity in the country.
“If the bill is signed into law, all criminals who have been convicted and jailed for fraud, stealing, kidnapping and armed robbery are automatically entitled to similar amnesty and pardon.”