Human rights advocate Chief Malcolm Omirhobo has advocated for the imposition of the death penalty on government officials found guilty of embezzling public funds.
The outspoken attorney expressed this viewpoint in an exclusive interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90 Minutes Africa last Sunday.
“I am a proponent of the death sentence. These people should be tied to the stake and shot. They don’t deserve to live. Corruption kills. Nigerians are wasting away due to corruption,” he said.
Mr. Omirhobo gained widespread attention when he attended a Supreme Court session clad in the traditional attire of an African religious practitioner.
He expressed that his decision to don this attire was inspired by the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the rights of Muslim female students to wear hijab in schools.
According to him, this ruling implied that followers of various religions, including African traditional beliefs, should also have the right to wear their ceremonial clothing at official events.
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Commenting on the extensive fraud uncovered in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by a special investigative panel, the lawyer questioned how funds intended to enhance the lives of Nigerians could be misappropriated by a select few. He contended that the only effective deterrent to corruption in the country is the imposition of the death penalty.
Highlighting the insufficient progress in the Nigerian system to eliminate the death penalty, he argued that such a severe consequence is necessary for individuals to take corruption seriously.
He asserted that this drastic measure is essential for instilling a sense of accountability.
The lawyer went on to allege that many Nigerian leaders, both past and present, are unable to justify their accumulated wealth.
Pointing to figures like Akpabio and Wike, he questioned their financial status before 1999 and criticized the substantial wealth they now possess.
(Saharareporters)