Some Nigerian lawyers and human right activists have cautioned President Goodluck Jonathan to put a stop to comparing between the acts of stealing and corruption.
The President during the 8th presidential media chat on Wednesday had reiterated that there was a difference between the two acts. This comes some months ago after he first made a similar statement.
“If somebody is a thief, he is a thief. We should not use the word ‘corruption’ to describe a case of stealing. Thieves should be referred to as thieves,” the President had said.
However, a human rights activist and a lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, stated in a telephone conversation with Journalists that there was no technical difference between the two acts and that citizens involved in either should be made to face the wrath of the law.
He further said, “In a broad legal sense, they are somewhat same. Stealing is described as taking what belongs to another person without the consent of the owner with the intention of keeping it permanently.
“Corruption is using the power of an office to acquire the resources of an organisation without working for it and without the organisation’s awareness. Reviewing it, using an office as a political office holder to acquire what belongs to the state results to stealing.
“In conclusion, every act of corruption is an act of stealing. There is no question about it. There is no moral or ethical difference between them. Both acts are criminal, immoral and anti-social and nobody should attempt to make one look lighter than the other. People who commit either should be dealt with seriously by the law.”
A civil rights lawyer, Fred Agbaje in a similar manner , stated that President Jonathan’s comparism between the acts was clear evidence that the President’s government is corrupt.
He stated that the President was only giving two words for same offence.
He said, “Defense of stealing as different from corruption is evident of the fact that President Jonathan’s administration is morally bankrupt.
The nomenclature may be different, but the substance of both allegations is the same.
“Which of them is allowed in our law whether he calls them in different names? They are both punishable offences under our penal laws. Stealing is even worse compared to corruption. Both carry a legal element of deliberately taking what doesn't belong to someone with the intent of depriving the taxpayers.”
No comments:
Write comments