The Sixth Devolution Conference, held in 2019, issued a call for governors accused of corruption to temporarily vacate their positions, aiming to address persistent conflicts between investigative bodies and the judiciary over judicial decisions to release suspects.
Conference participants emphasized the need for collaboration among the police, Director of Public Prosecutions, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Judiciary to ensure officials charged with graft are removed from office. This follows longstanding disputes over court rulings that have allowed suspects to avoid accountability.
Section 62(2) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act grants constitutional officeholders immunity from removal unless through constitutional processes, creating loopholes that critics argue enable high-profile figures to evade consequences. The conference’s resolution seeks to counter this by mandating temporary exits for those facing charges.
While the move strengthens prosecution efforts, experts warn that legislative changes are needed to prevent last-minute court interventions. Public frustration over perceived inequities in corruption enforcement—where senior figures often escape punishment while lower-level offenders are targeted—has intensified demands for systemic reforms.
The conference’s stance underscores the urgency of eradicating corruption, which has entrenched itself across governance structures. Stakeholders stress that eliminating 'sacred cows' in politics is critical to restoring public trust and ensuring all state institutions enforce legal consequences without bias.
