The issue of sex for grade, recently took a rather controversial twist
as the House Assembly proposed a 14 term for anyone found culprit. In
this interview with our JUDICIARY CORRESPONDENT, KAYODE ADEOTI, an
Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Surajudeen Adekunle Bamidele however,
speaks on the issue. Excerpts:
How do you see the jail term for lecturer found culpable in sex for grade?
The idea is good but I think that is on the high side. The punishment,
so to say, is too harsh, 14 years in my own opinion is not
justifiable. Three to four years is moderate. The punishment is to
serve as deterrent to lecturers and students concerned. We shouldn’t
also neglect the aspect of students who make advances at lecturer.
There are situations where students bump into lecturer’s office in
provocative dress, there should be a measure to correct this too on
the part of the students. As much as I like the jail term idea, 14
years is too harsh. To me, it’s not a capital offence, so why should
the punishment be that much.
There have been complaints from various quarters over the closure of
the border…
I support the plan to some extent, the idea has helped to check-mate
the rate of dirty deals across our borders. In the same vein, the
closure is affecting the masses. The price of commodities have gone
up, imported rice is now very costly, even the locally produced ones
are no longer available. We expected government to have created some
avenues of making the rice available in the country before closing the
borders. We could have been given notice of the closure six months
earlier, within this period, let’s see how this local products will be
available at the market. The federal government such decision and
announced it over night coupled with the extension. The effect on the
populace is so negative. It’s more disadvantage. Though we cannot rule
out the fact that the idea checks the rate of inflow of some illegal
goods, the activities of the insurgency is also not on the increase
again.
What is your take on what is playing out in Kogi State as regards the
forthcoming election, impeachment saga among other issues?
Legally speaking, there is no deputy governor in Kogi State, the
recently sworn-in deputy governor is not a valid one. When we talk of
impeachment, a committee has to be set up, which one done, the
investigated the allegation leveled against the deputy governor and
found in not guilty. The moment the committee reports favours, the
whole impeachment process ends. As far as I’m concerned Kogi State has
no lawful deputy governor.
Some Nigerians have accused EFCC of fighting selective war, do you
also subscribe to such allegation?
Yes! let’s be sincere, the commission is not fair in its fight against
corruption. Once you have an antagonising opinion to the federal
government’s activities, you can be sure that you will become EFCC’s
target. The best thing for you is to be silent, the EFCC is selective.
Some personalities that obviously deserve trial in this country are
being left alone. The case of the former Senate President exemplified
this.
There seems to be proliferation of illegal rehabilitation centres in
the state, what’s promoting this?
It’s primitive, very barbaric, its not an educational center,
government should not allow it. Government should make sure that those
establishing such centres face the wrath of the law. That should not
be allowed to persist, it’s illegal, the government ought to be aware
once anyone wants to seek approval to rehabilitate home. We only know
of the juvenile centre where children are trained, any other thing
other than that, is barbaric, who knows whether they are taking
advantage of those children sexually, they should be prosecuted.
