Date: 2012-07-09

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and one of the frontline law practitioners in the country, Alhaji Yusuf Alli, has advocated death penalty for any Nigerian found guilty of corruption.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in Ilorin, Kwara State, at the weekend, Alhaji Alli said corruption contributed at least 80 per cent to problems in the country, adding that if corruption was reduced by 50 per cent, the level of efficiency in the country would increase.

"When you are proven guilty of corruption charges, the person should just be killed, executed. I've been preaching this for more than a decade. I used to call it Chinese treatment, because in China, if you are convicted for corruption, you are either hanged or shot. 

"I believe this is necessary. At least, we would have achieved one thing, the person who committed the crime would not be the beneficiary of the gain. He won't live to enjoy the fruit of his crime. Also, Nigerians will not be committing crimes for others to enjoy. Once they know and see example, they won't be committing the crime," he said.