Imprison corrupt officials after they refund stolen money- Vitus Azeem

Ben Ephson, made the proposal to have corrupt officials refund their monies rather than imprison them

An anti corruption campaigner, Vitus Azeem says corrupt public officials should be imprisoned after they are made to refund their stolen money.

His comments come in the wake of proposals for corrupt public officials to pay back stolen monies than have them imprisoned.

He told Joy News' Matilda Asante Asiedu on Wednesday, such a policy is not deterrent enough, but the double sanction will suffice.

Editor of the Daily Dispatch News paper, Ben Ephson proposed the new policy to government, but said the president John Atta Mills is yet to consider it.

The policy, akin to the “plea of bargain” implemented during the public tribunal under the Provisional National Defence Council was to ensure monies misappropriated by public officials were paid back.

But Mr. Ephson said under the new policy, such corrupt officials or those who lose state funds due to negligence will be made to pay back the amount with a “punitive interest rate.”

He argued some corrupt officials might prefer risking a 5 year jail sentence for an offence, with the hope of enjoying their 'booty' with an enhanced interest after serving the sentence.

But Vitus Azeem disagrees. Even though he concedes the policy might work in some circumstances, he said it is not stringent enough to deter corruption.

He explained in cases of financial loss to the state the policy might be applicable, but in cases of stealing of state funds, the appropriate remedies enshrined in the constitution should be activated.

Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana