Home » Reps Push Mandatory Counselling, Training for Corruption Offenders

Reps Push Mandatory Counselling, Training for Corruption Offenders

Bill aims to reform corrupt convicts through counselling and training

by Adenike Adeodun

KEY POINTS


  • House proposes anti-corruption training for convicted offenders.
  • Counselling sessions to target behavioural change and promote accountability.
  • Convicts may bear the cost of training to reduce government expenses.

Nigeria’s House of Representatives is making strides toward reforming how corruption convicts are handled. 

On Wednesday, lawmakers advanced a bill that would make it mandatory for those convicted of corruption-related crimes to undergo counseling and training in addition to prison sentences or fines.

The bill, sponsored by Kayode Akiolu, a representative for Lagos Island II Federal Constituency, proposes an amendment to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

If passed, the amendment will require judges and magistrates to enforce anti-corruption counselling and training sessions for offenders as part of their sentencing.

Akiolu explained that the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) would design and deliver the training programme, which is expected to last at least four weeks. 

The goal, he said, is to reform the mindset of offenders, equip them with anti-corruption values, and encourage them to become advocates for clean governance.

“The anti-corruption counselling and training will help wean convicts off corrupt tendencies and even turn them into anti-corruption advocates,” Akiolu told lawmakers.

 “This aligns with the reformative goal of our criminal justice system, which is not just about punishment but also about rehabilitation.”

Training approach focuses on mindset reform, rehabilitation

Unlike traditional punitive measures, the new training initiative aims to instill ethical values in offenders and reduce the likelihood of reoffending. 

Akiolu compared corruption tendencies to kleptomania, a psychological disorder marked by an uncontrollable urge to steal.

He emphasized that addressing the root cause of corrupt behaviour could lead to long-term solutions rather than merely punishing offenders. 

The training is expected to engage convicts in discussions about integrity, accountability, and public service ethics.

To avoid overburdening the government’s finances, the bill proposes that offenders may be required to bear the cost of their anti-corruption training. 

According to Punch, Akiolu noted that this approach would ease the financial load on the government while ensuring accountability.

“Our party’s leadership, together with our team of experienced professionals, is fully prepared and equipped to ensure that every aspect of the process is handled diligently and transparently,” he added.

Lawmakers rally support for bill’s passage

Akiolu urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to support the bill, highlighting its potential to bolster Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight. 

He argued that the measure would help combat the deep-rooted culture of corruption in Nigeria’s public sector.

“If passed, this bill will bolster the fight against corruption, a menace that continues to plague our nation. It is a step toward achieving systemic reform and accountability,” he said.

The proposal is seen as part of a broader effort to address corruption in Nigeria’s public institutions. 

Lawmakers believe that by addressing the behavioural aspects of corruption, they can create a lasting cultural shift in public service and reduce reoffending rates.

The bill has now been referred to the House Committee on Anti-Corruption for further review. If it passes committee scrutiny, it will proceed to the third reading before it can be enacted into law.

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