The Home of Representatives has moved nearer to introducing necessary counselling and coaching for people convicted of corruption-related offences.
A invoice searching for to amend the Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Act, 2000 scaled second studying on Wednesday.
The proposed modification, sponsored by Kayode Akiolu, who represents Lagos Island II Federal Constituency, goals to broaden Part 67 of the Principal Act.
The modification would require judges and magistrates to impose obligatory counselling and coaching alongside imprisonment and fines for corrupt convicts.
Whereas main the controversy on the invoice, Akiolu defined that the counselling periods could be designed and delivered by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria.
The programme, meant to final at the least 4 weeks, goals to reform the mindset of offenders and equip them with anti-corruption values.
He drew parallels between corrupt behaviour and kleptomania, a psychological dysfunction characterised by an uncontrollable urge to steal.
Akiolu stated, “The anti-corruption counselling and coaching will assist wean convicts off corrupt tendencies and even flip them into anti-corruption advocates.
“This aligns with the reformative purpose of our legal justice system, which isn’t nearly punishment but additionally about rehabilitation.”
To mitigate monetary pressure on the federal government, the invoice proposes that judges and magistrates might require convicts to bear the price of their anti-corruption counselling and coaching.
Akiolu urged his colleagues to help the invoice, stressing its potential to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive.
“If handed, this invoice will bolster the struggle in opposition to corruption, a menace that continues to plague our nation. It’s a step towards reaching systemic reform and accountability,” he added.