Some people have talked about giving corrupt politicians the death penalty. Now a PDP House of Reps from Kaduna has recommended amputation as punishment for them.
Umar Yakubu Barde represents Chikun/Kajuru constituency at the House.
Interestingly, he said those who steal millions of naira should have their hands cut off but if they steal billions, they should be hanged.
He was speaking with journalists yesterday at a Nigerian Union of Journalists function in Kaduna.
He said, “I am a believer in the fact that people should be punished for whatever offence they commit. And I am also of the belief that punishment should also be segregated according to the offence. At least your punishment should be commensurate with what you have done.”
“For me, if someone steals from N1 million to N100 million, they should cut his hands. There is nothing wrong with that, so that when we see him, we will know yes, he stole. And those that steal billions upward should be hanged and their property confiscated.”
He also suggested that government should set up special courts specifically for corruption trials.
He said, “If you look at the quantum of corruption in the country today, we are just talking about Dasukigate, and look at the quantum of money and the number of people that are involved. You have not gone to the ministries yet. You have not even gone to the states and it is only ICPC and EFCC that are to do all these jobs.
“If we are fair to ourselves, the work is overwhelming. And you know, people will want to use the legal system to delay justice, and that is what is happening today. So, why don’t we have dedicated courts to handle all these corruption cases, so that justice could be dispensed quickly?
“If I am a judge and such a person is brought before me, I will confiscate his property and make sure he is killed also.”
Barde made a point about the justice system where poor people seem to get severer punishment than rich people when they steal something.
He said, “We are living in a very funny country where people steal N1,000 and they are put in jail for years. And where some people will steal billions and use that same billion to escape justice. That is not good enough.
“I think we need to put our heads together because corruption, like hunger, does not know party, it does not know tribe of religion. We must as Nigerians take a very bold stand.”