The House of Representatives has passed for a second reading a bill aimed at amending the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, to introduce mandatory counselling and training for individuals convicted of corruption-related offenses.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Kayode Akiolu, representing Lagos Island II Federal Constituency, seeks to amend Section 67 of the Act by adding three new provisions.
These provisions mandate that judges and magistrates, in addition to sentencing convicts to imprisonment or fines, will require them to undergo a specified period of counselling and training.
Explaining the bill, Hon. Akiolu noted that the mandatory training and counselling would be developed and delivered by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria.
The program, which would last for at least four weeks, aims to address the psychological factors behind corrupt behavior.
Akiolu likened the effort to treating kleptomania, an impulse control disorder, by helping convicts reform and potentially become advocates against corruption.
The bill also proposes that convicts may be asked to cover the cost of their counselling and training, ensuring that there is no additional financial burden on the government.
Akiolu argued that this initiative would align with the criminal justice system’s rehabilitative goals, focusing on reforming offenders rather than just punishing them.
He urged his colleagues to support the bill, emphasizing that it would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s ongoing fight against corruption.
“This bill will foster a culture of accountability and help reduce corrupt tendencies,” he stated.
