Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, has called for stricter penalties for political corruption, emphasizing that it should be treated with the same gravity as financial crimes. According to him, unchecked political corruption threatens democracy, erodes good governance, and allows power-hungry elites to manipulate the system without consequences.
Ozekhome made this appeal on Wednesday while delivering a lecture titled Has Democracy Led to Good Governance in Nigeria? at the Midwest Achievers Awards in Benin City, Edo State. He lamented that political misconduct is often overlooked because those involved are deeply entrenched in positions of influence.
“Political corruption should be aggressively tackled with the same seriousness and penalties as financial crimes,” he stated. “Too often, it is overlooked because those involved wield significant power.”
The legal expert highlighted Nigeria’s long history of electoral malpractice, where vote-buying, manipulation, and rigging have consistently undermined the integrity of democratic processes. He stressed that post-election adjudication should go beyond determining winners and losers—it should also hold perpetrators accountable through severe punishments, including imprisonment and hefty fines.
“Free and fair elections are the foundation of legitimacy, transparency, and accountability. They must be safeguarded to ensure leaders remain accountable to the people,” he added.
Ozekhome’s remarks come at a time when concerns about electoral fraud, political misconduct, and governance failures remain prevalent in Nigeria. His call for more stringent consequences for political crimes resonates with many Nigerians who believe that corruption at the highest levels has been left unchecked for far too long.
Earlier at the event, the Director of Organisation for the Midwest Achievers Awards, Owen Omo-Ojo, noted that the ceremony was designed to honor individuals who have demonstrated excellence, resilience, and ethical leadership in their communities. Ozekhome was recognized with the Defender of Democracy award for his relentless advocacy for justice, democracy, and good governance.
As conversations around electoral integrity and political accountability continue to gain momentum, Ozekhome’s stance serves as a rallying call for legal reforms that would deter corrupt politicians from abusing the system for personal gain.
