By Wahab Abdullah

LAGOS— Chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof.  Itse Sagay, has advocated stiff punishment for counsel, particularly Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, who obstruct and frustrate proceedings on high-profile corruption cases in the country.

According to him,  such punishment must include denial of right of appearance in such high profile and grand corruption cases.

Sagay spoke, yesterday, at Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP’s latest media roundtable, entitled ‘Strategies and Approaches for the Successful Completion and Effective Prosecution of Abandoned and Unresolved High Profile Cases of Corruption in Nigeria. Combating Grand Corruption and Impunity in Nigeria,’ in Lagos.

Sagay

In his paper, Sagay also urged prosecuting counsel in grand corruption cases “to apply to reinstate any case struck out for want of prosecution.

He said: “In cases requiring appeal, the authorities must apply for leave to appeal out of time, and prepare evidence and legal arguments thoroughly, including by inviting consultants to advise.”

He also said prosecuting authorities must “insist on full application of Sections 306 and 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, namely: No stay of proceedings under any circumstances – S. 306.

“Any preliminary objection must be taken together with the substantive issue – S. 396(2), and hearings shall be on a daily basis, but in exceptional cases, adjournments not to be in excess of 14 working day, may be granted. Such adjournments not to exceed five in any proceedings – S. 396 (3) and (4).

“A High Court judge who is elevated whilst presiding over a criminal case, should be allowed to conclude the case without any effect on his new status.

‘’The head of various courts, namely Chief Justice of Nigeria; President, Court of Appeal; Chief Judge of the Federal High Court; and Chief Judges of State High Courts, should be sensitised about the very critical nature of the fight against high-level official corruption to Nigeria’s development and the welfare of its peoples.

Another lawyer, Babatunde Ogala, on his part, said:  “The moment you take public office, the expectations of you are very high.

“Corruption is a problem to all of us, our values encourage corruption, pressure from family and well-wishers, once you attain political office. Government is fighting corruption to the best of its ability.”

The guest speaker, Yemi Akinseye-George, said in his remarks:  “The best way to rob a country is to buy its political system. There are several high profile corruption cases that are stuck and unresolved – no acquittal, no conviction.

‘’The National Judicial Council should be proactive in tackling corruption. Judiciary must purge themselves of corruption so that they can avoid executive interference. We also need to leverage on e-recording of proceedings and put an end to writing in long hand by judges.”

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Ogun State, Olumide Ayeni, who chaired the event, said: “Any person who loves this society will welcome and attend events of this nature. It is a very important subject we are here to discuss, to find ways of addressing the cankerworm that has evaded our society.”

Okoi Obolo-Obla, Special Assistant on Prosecution to President Muhammadu Buhari, who represented the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said:  “I admire what SERAP is doing. It is not Buhari’s work to fight corruption alone, it is all our fight. It is corruption that is fuelling this agitation by the different groups.”

Head of Legal of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, G. K. Latona, who represented EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, said:  “We are not working at cross purposes with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation; we are cooperating with them.”

President of Nigerian Bar Association, Abubakar Mahmoudsaid, said “lawyers should report to NBA anything they observe in court that is corrupt.”