EFCC, Navy reject Senate’s proposal to criminalise ransom payment to kidnappers
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| Senate Plenary |
The Senate’s plan to criminalise ransom payment is part of ongoing amendment to the Terrorism Prevention Act.
Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, EFCC, has rejected the proposed criminalisation of ransom payment to kidnappers or terrorists to secure release of hostages.
The Senate’s plan to criminalise ransom payment is part of ongoing amendment to the Terrorism Prevention Act.
The agency said instead of criminalising ransom payment to abductors, such negotiation should be subjected to security vetting.
The EFFC’s Director, Legal and Prosecution Department, Chile Okoroma, made this known when he appeared before the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; and Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes – for the public hearing of the amendment bill.
The bill, sponsored by Imo senator, Francis Onyewuchi, proposes 15 years imprisonment for anyone who pays ransom to kidnappers.
Section 14 of the bill reads, “Anyone who transfers funds, makes payment or colludes with an abductor, kidnapper or terrorist to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped is guilty of a felony and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years.”
The EFCC , however, thinks otherwise.
While Mr Okoroma applauded other provisions of the bill, he said it would be unfair to penalise people who pay ransom.
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