The Senate yesterday approved a law sponsored by Senator Isa Misau, which prescribes a 30-year jail term for anyone who connives with an abductor to receive ransom for any person in wrongful confinement.
Senator Utazi Chukuwuma Utazi, PDP, Enugu North, presented the report on behalf of behalf of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sentor David Umaru.
The passage of the bill followed a clause by clause consideration of the report by the lawmakers during plenary.
According to Senator Utazi, the passage of the bill would undoubtedly address some of the inadequacies in Nigeria’s distinct statues such as Criminal Code Act and Penal Code Act.
He stated that the new bill was directed after it was observed that there was a high prevalence of crime of abduction, wrongful confinement for ransom which has continually hampered the growth of the economy.
He added that the increase in the crime was capable of scaring foreigners who would rather not invest in the country for fear of being abducted.
Prior to the passage of the bill, the Senate had dissolved into the committee of the whole for clause by clause consideration of the report of the Committee on Judiciary on the bill.
Clause 1 (3) of the Bill stated that “whoever is guilty of the offence and then results in the death of the victim shall be liable on conviction to be sentenced to death.”
Clause 5 (2) of the bill revealed that “anyone who fails to produce any book, account, receipts, vouchers or other documents which is in his possession or control shall be guilty of an offence. The person shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both fine and imprisonment.”
Clause 3 provides a 30- year jail term for anyone who colludes with abductor to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined.