Activist and Head of HEDA, Lanre Suraj, has commended the Judge who delivered the judgment convicting the Director General of the Obi-Datti campaign organisation but condemned treatment of Corruption cases by the Judiciatry in Nigeria.
Mr Lanre Suraj disclosed this while reacting to the issues surrounding the conviction of Dr Doyin Okupe.
He said the Administration of Criminal Justice Act has been treated with levity by Judicial officers who have breached the provisions repeatedly ensuring that the noble intentions of the makers of the law has been largely defeated.
He said the breaches by Judicial Officers, Judges and even Counsel to Defendants and Prosecution have largely been involved in the perpetuation of injustice.
He disclosed that prolonging a case beyond its original duration is a major loss financially and Otherwise to Nigeria.
He also frowns at the pitiable sentences handed to some prominent individuals who were involved in financial malfeasance like the former Edo State Governor, Lucky Igbinedion, who was able to pay his fine without leaving the Court premises and the former Pension Boss, John Yakubu who also only paid a paltry sum despite being accused of stealing Billions.
He said the fact Mr Doyin Okupe also paid his 13 Million Naira fine without leaving the Court Premises despite being charged for Money Laundering running into almost a Billion naira.
He added that the fine is not even enough to cover the cost the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission incurred in prosecuting the case and what it costs the Judiciary to convict Mr Doyin Okupe.
He also called for more to be done to address the welfare of Judicial officers.
He urged the Nigerian Judiciary to do more in addressing and handing down sentences to Politically Exposed Persons and Bureaucrats without them getting away with the astounding level of Corruption that has been seen in cases.
Going Further, he described the verdict handed down in the Doyin Okupe case and previous ones like it as very disappointing and a slap on the face of the fight against Corruption.
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