#OBSCURELEGALFACTS BY AROME ABU

EX-CONVICTS MAY SEEK PUBLIC OFFICE IN NIGERIA

In Nigeria, ex-convicts may contest or hold public office.

EXCEPTIONS
(a) where convict is under a death sentence;

(b) where less than 10 years before the date of election, he has been convicted and sentenced for an offence involving “dishonesty”;

(c) He is found guilty of contravening the Code of conduct for public officers.

Recently, Nollywood actress Funke Akindele Bello (a.k.a Jenifa) and her husband AbdulRasheed Bello were both convicted for violating the Lagos State government’s directive on social distancing.

There is no doubt that since the offence for which they were convicted is not laced with any element of dishonesty, the fact of their conviction cannot operate as a bar to inhibit them from holding public office if they wish to do so in the future.

See Sections 137, 182, 66, 107 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)

See also A.P.C. v. P.D.P. ( 2015) 15 NWLR (Pt. 1481)

Arome Abu is the Principal Partner of TCLP.

CAVEAT: Note that this information is provided for general enlightenment purposes and is not intended to be any form of legal advice.

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