The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, advanced a bill to amend the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, passing it for second reading.
The proposed amendment seeks to introduce mandatory counselling and training for individuals convicted of corruption-related crimes.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Kayode Akiolu, who represents Lagos Island II Federal Constituency, aims to expand Section 67 of the Principal Act with additional provisions. If enacted, the amendment will require magistrates and judges to impose mandatory counselling and training alongside imprisonment or fines for corruption convicts.
Leading the debate, Hon. Akiolu explained that the counselling and training program would be developed and administered by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria. The program, set to run for a minimum of four weeks, is designed to address the psychological factors contributing to corrupt behaviour.
“The compulsory anti-corruption counselling and training acknowledges the connection between mental disposition and the primitive accumulation of wealth,” Akiolu stated. “This is akin to what psychologists call kleptomania—an impulse control disorder that creates an irresistible urge to steal. The training will help reform convicts, potentially turning them into anti-corruption campaigners.”
He emphasised that this initiative aligns with the reformative objectives of the criminal justice system, which prioritises rehabilitation over mere punishment.
The bill also proposes that convicts bear the cost of their counselling and training programs, ensuring that the initiative does not create additional financial burdens for the government.
“Magistrates and judges may order convicts to cover the cost of their training,” Akiolu noted. “This way, the government incurs no losses but gains significantly from the reformative impact of the program.”
Akiolu underscored the bill’s potential to bolster Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts by reducing corrupt tendencies and promoting a culture of accountability.
He called on his colleagues to support the amendment, stating, “This bill will strengthen the fight against corruption and benefit our nation, which continues to suffer from its devastating effects.”
The proposed amendment is now set to proceed to the committee stage for further deliberation and refinement.
