Govs oppose death penalty because they’re worst looters — David-West

In from Victor Ebimomi…

The opposition against capital punishment for treasury looters by majority of the governors in the country has no altruistic reason but fear that they could eventually end up in the ‘justice net‘ because of their high propensity for looting.

This was the submission of former Minister of Petroleum and teacher of virology, Professor Tam David-West.

The organized labour had on Wednesday during a press conference ahead of its planned rally for Thursday in support of the current administration’s anti-corruption crusade made a demand for killing of confirmed treasury looters.

Many governors kicked, preferring lesser punishments.

But in an interview with Ripples on Saturday, David-West lampooned the governors telling them to keep shut their mouths over the matter because they are the worst culprits when it comes to looting.

He said he whole-heartedly supported the call by the organized labour explaining that if armed robbers who robbed and individuals could face capital punishment, there was no justification to exempt someone who robbed a state or the country.

“I fully support the labour whole-heatedly. Looters and election riggers should face capital punishment. If an armed robber who stole N10,000 from individuals could face capital punishment, why should those who robbed a whole state or country be treated differently?

Read also: NLC, TUC want looters killed

They should also be treated like armed robbers.

“The governors should shut up. They are looters and that is why they are afraid to support it (capital punishment). If they are not looters they won’t oppose it”, he said.

Arguing that capital punishment would serve as a serious deterrent, he added that if capital punishment would not be allowed, then looters should be severely punished and also banned for life from occupying public offices.

He faulted the suggestion of the governors for life jail, saying they preferred that because they know that they could always use their massive wealth to buy their freedom.

“The governors support life jail because they can buy their way out”, he said.

David-West lamented that the country is suffering today because of the looting of the public treasury by those entrusted to supervise it.

“The country is suffering and they are gaining, they have to be punished,” he emphasized.

He, however, expressed optimism that with the man currently at the helm of affairs, corruption would be a thing of the past.

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