The conviction of Olabode George, former Chairman of the board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) yesterday by a Lagos High Court has been praised by civil society groups and human rights lawyers. They described it as a step in the right direction.
To the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, in a statement by Adetokunbo Mumuni, its executive director, the fact that "a high ranking member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been convicted of corruption is a welcome development and one that would contribute to strengthening the rule of law, ensuring justice to the victims of political corruption, and eroding a culture of impunity by the country's leaders."
The group challenged the current administration on its anti-corruption drive saying "it is now time for this government to ensure full accountability for political corruption irrespective of the status or political connection of those involved. This is the only way that the government can ensure full compliance with the Nigerian Constitution and the country's international anti-corruption and human rights obligations and commitments."
A ray of hope
Abdu-Rahman Ahmad, the president of the Movement Against Corruption, a non-governmental organisation, stated that "if the court process is still in action, then we have some hope for this country that things are going to look up. If the court finds Bode George guilty, then so be it. If he thinks he is not guilty, there is the appellate system. I think the fact that somebody has been alleged, has been arranged, has been properly tried, and has been convicted, gives hope for this country." He, however, criticised Nigeria's criminal system, saying "the fact that people who are guilty of snatching handsets have remained in prison custody, some of them for as long as 10 years, then I think that justice system, that criminal system needs to be looked at and reviewed such that commensurate punishment is given to commensurate offences."
Debo Adeniran, the chairman of the Committee against Corrupt Leaders believes that the judgment will serve as "a deterrent,
at least, to curbing corrupt people within our society." He added that "it will also serve as a morale booster to those other judges that are handling similar cases to go ahead and do their own job not minding whose ox is gored."
Adeniran hopes "that no judicial officer will want to upturn such a laudable judgment." He further challenged public office holders to "know that nobody is invincible and that if they think that they are above the law and they are doing things that will soil their image, one day the hen will come home to roost. They will be brought face to face to justice no matter how powerful, no matter how influential, no matter how smart they think they are." Aduche Wokocha, the coordinator of the Port Harcourt-based Schalesworths Centre for Democracy and Development stated that "if people who have been protected by former President Obasanjo can get this sentence, people will get the message that even if the present president is your friend, someday you'll still pay for it; especially if the loot is also recovered. The very fact of the sentence is a good development not minding whether the length of time is commensurate with the gravity of the offence."
Mr. Wokocha who also heads the Business Law Department of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, commended the Judiciary, saying it "should be encouraged to continue in that line."
Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, enjoined "all Nigerians who are incensed about corruption in the country to salute the bold and well reasoned decision on Chief Bode George. The decision is not about him but rather about our nation and the possibility of fighting corruption using the limited instrumentality of our justice system." He lauded the judge who issued the verdict, saying "I expect our judges to take a cue from Justice Oyewole. He has done his own bit. I expect to see more convictions."
Mr. George, former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party was sentenced to two years imprisonment on corruption charges. He was charged alongside five other board members of the NPA, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on contract inflation to the tune of ₦84 billion.