No plea bargain for corruption, terrorism convicts — Nigerian govt.

Oby Ezekwesili
Oby Ezekwesili

The Nigerian government has said there will be no option of plea bargain for anyone facing prosecution for corruption as well as terrorism.

The government also requested a formal appeal for the reinstatement of soldiers jailed for “cowardice” in the fight against Boko Haram.

This was stated, Tuesday, by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, when he met members of Bring Back Our Girls in Abuja.

Mr. Malami emphasised the government’s “strong” commitment to ensuring punishment for offenders.

He said the government would not “allow criminal cases to be compromised”.

“The office of the Attorney General of the Federation will not advocate plea bargain for anyone,” he stressed.

Appeal Reinstament of Soldiers

Led by former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili, BBOG called for the immediate reinstatement of soldiers currently serving jail term for cowardice.

The group also asked the Federal Government to make public to Nigerians, the details of the Fact-Finding Committee report on the abduction of the Chibok girls in April, 2014.

In his response, Mr. Malami advised the BBOG group to explore the Freedom of Information Act and make formal request in a letter to the Federal Government.

He assured the group that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would continue to stand by justice, especially through a newly established national prosecution team set up by the government.

Arraigned before separate General Court Martials, 71 soldiers were accused of criminal conspiracy, conspiracy to commit mutiny, insubordinate behaviour and false accusation.

In January and March 2015, 65 of the soldiers were eventually convicted and condemned to death by facing during squad; give were discharged and acquitted; while one was sentenced to 28-day mail term with hard labour.

However, in December, 2015, military authority commuted the judgement in the case of the condemned soldiers to 10-year jail term.

According to the Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, this followed an order by the Chief of Army, Tukur Buratai, to examine of each of the cases.

The former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and several others are currently facing investigation and prosecution over alleged diversion of $2.1 arms funds in what is now known as Dasukigate.

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  • National disgrace

    What about Dambazua who stole from the army–Amaechi—indicted for stealing 58b–Fayemi———39b———–Fashola over 120b—–Prof Yakubu of INEC–800M———–WHEN WILL THEY BE TRIED BY BUHARI

    • zacchaeus Akinleye

      A serial liar and unrepentant exaggerator like you needs to be tried for bigotry and deceit and told to get some life in a gulag.

      • Damilola

        I swear when u started I tot u were just about referring to your god in Aso Rock. The narrative there fits in kinly dear; Unrepentant Deceitful bigot

      • Sword of Damocles

        Methinks he is a man who “wears his heart on his sleeve”, afterall take his nom de guerre for example, it is obvious that he his referring to his “revered father”: Former President Jonathan.

    • Okafor

      Buhari’s wants Nigerians to take them to court. Soon there will be court cases against his ministers,.I hope hope won’t authorise corrupt judges to them.

    • Maria

      What of Jonathan who stole 7 trillion naira? He must be skinned alive.

  • PITY BUHARI

    Madam Obj–how is life—Awudu Ogbeh said Bring back our girls was sponsored by——APC

    • Okafor

      Oby how now? Your friend has just said he doesn’t where the girls are, so the campaign is over. Any other programme?

  • Damilola

    No plea bargain but some looters are returning their loots huh? You guys are just confused, saying whatever comes to your mouth for the moment.

  • Eze Udeka

    Who is this old hag to pontificate for a government she has no locus in. This shemale should shut up and stop reminding us of Olusegun Obasanjo, his illegitimate father.

    • john d

      wow…. easy na…. she has not said anything wrong… do you want plea bargains for corrupt officials and militants…

  • Olusegun Olawonyi

    If the plan is to recover looted funds, then plea bargain is a better alternative. However, if the policy is to ensure punishment for offenders and a deterrent to others, then securing and enforcing the conviction of treasury thieves is the better alternative. The sense I get from the government is that it is seeking to ensure that criminals are brought to justice and others in future do not toe the same path as these treasury looters. if my analysis is correct, then I side with this government policy.