Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, has called for political corruption to be addressed with the same level of seriousness and penalties as financial crimes, highlighting that its unchecked prevalence is detrimental to Nigeria’s democracy and governance.
Ozekhome made this impassioned plea while delivering a lecture titled “Has Democracy Led to Good Governance in Nigeria?” at the Midwest Achievers Awards held in Benin City, Edo State, on Wednesday.
The legal expert, who was honored with the Defender of Democracy award at the event, decried the pervasive impunity of the political elite, accusing them of systematically manipulating political processes to further their personal agendas.
He stated, “Political corruption must be treated with the same vigour as financial crimes. Too often, it goes unpunished simply because those involved hold substantial power.”
Ozekhome pointed to Nigeria’s long-standing history of electoral malpractice, describing the country’s elections as often tainted by manipulation, voter suppression, and outright fraud.
He advocated for reforms in post-election adjudication processes that not only identify the true winners but also impose stringent penalties—such as imprisonment and substantial fines—on politicians and their agents who breach electoral laws.
“Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of legitimacy, accountability, and transparency,” Ozekhome stressed. “It is crucial that we safeguard these elections to ensure our leaders remain answerable to the people.”
In his remarks, Owen Omo-Ojo, the Director of Organisation for the Midwest Achievers Awards, noted that the event aims to celebrate individuals who exemplify excellence, resilience, and ethical leadership, while inspiring positive societal transformation.
