Gladness Gideon
Legal luminary and human rights advocate, Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has called for stricter penalties against individuals involved in political corruption, arguing that such offenses should carry consequences as severe as those imposed for financial crimes.
Speaking at the Midwest Achievers Awards in Benin City, Edo State, where he delivered a lecture titled “Has Democracy Led to Good Governance in Nigeria?”, Ozekhome emphasized that tougher sanctions would help curb election rigging and other electoral malpractices.
He noted that political corruption undermines democracy and should be tackled with the same urgency as economic crimes. According to him, post-election legal proceedings should not only determine winners but also impose prison sentences and fines on politicians and their agents who manipulate the electoral process.
“Too often, political corruption is overlooked because those involved wield significant power,” Ozekhome stated, lamenting that many political elites escape accountability due to their influence, which further entrenches a culture of impunity.
He stressed that credible elections are essential for legitimacy, transparency, and accountability in governance, and urged stakeholders to protect the electoral process from manipulation.
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Ozekhome, who was honored with the “Defender of Democracy” award at the event, expressed concern that political corruption is rarely addressed with the same urgency as financial mismanagement. He urged Nigerians and authorities to adopt a firmer stance to safeguard democracy.
Dr. Owen Omo-Ojo, Director of Organization at the Midwest Achievers Awards, explained that the event recognizes individuals who have excelled in their respective fields while maintaining high ethical standards.
Ozekhome’s call for stringent penalties against political corruption comes at a crucial time as Nigeria continues to struggle with electoral malpractice and governance challenges.