*Sagay: Proposal risky, should be handled carefully.

The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof Itse Sagay SAN, and Lagos lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN on Thursday backed the Senate’s moves to establish an agency for de-radicalisation of repentant Boko Haram insurgents.

But they warned the Federal Government to implement such plan carefully to prevent it from backfiring.

The Senate’s move followed the first reading of a Bill titled: “National Agency for the Education, Rehabilitation, De-radicalisation and Integration of repentant insurgents in Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2020” by the Senate.

The Bill was sponsored by a former Governor of Yobe state, Ibrahim Geidam, representing Yobe East Senatorial District.

It seeks to, among others, provide avenue for rehabilitating, de-radicalising, educating reconciling and reintegrating the defectors, repentant and detained members of Boko Haram to make them useful members of the society.

It is also expected to provide an-open-door and encouragement for other members of the group who are still engaged in the insurgency to abandon the group.

Prof Sagay told The Nation, Not TheNigeriaLawyer that the idea of such an agency is not new around the world.

He said: “That practice does exist in some countries. It is one that has to be handled very delicately, otherwise it could backfire.

“For example, if the person is not yet fully repentant or pretends and you get carried away and restore him to normal civil life as if nothing has happened, it could give him another opportunity to strike a deadly blow.

“So, it’s something that could be done very carefully, and then you have to be very particular about who you choose. It cannot be a very large scale thing, so that people may not think that you can commit horrors and later on you’ll be accepted back into society without consequence.

“I would say it’s a risky concept, although it happens. It’s a risky concept so we have to be very careful about it.

Adegboruwa also backed any good proposal to end the insurgency. He noted that a previous government implemented an amnesty programme for Niger Delta militants.

Read Also: Sagay, Badejo: Malami’s position surprising, discriminatory
Adegboruwa said: “Every effort should be made to end the Boko Haram scourge, including possible de-radicalisation of repentant ones amongst them.

“A crime is a crime, no matter the weight; since (former) President Umar Yar’dua pardoned militants who raped, kidnapped and killed people, including foreigners, there is nothing wrong in reforming insurgents if they truly embrace amnesty.

“Part of the focus of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) involves the transformation of criminals for the good of society.

“However, all efforts should be made to properly monitor the repenting insurgents so that we don’t end up throwing the dreaded ones amongst them into the society to do more damage.”

______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook As an added bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE ebook titled: “How to use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion.” Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.   ______________________________________________________________________ “Bridging Theory And Courtroom Practice” — Hagler Sunny Okorie, Nathaniel Ngozi Ikeocha Unveil ‘Functional’ Tort Law Book For Nigerian Legal System The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209. ______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation ________________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

_______________________________________________________________________