Bill to introduce stiffer punishment for kidnapping passes second reading

A Bill seeking to introduce stiffer punishment for kidnapping, wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement for ransom, has passed second reading at the Senate.

The bill titled “ Abduction, Wrongful Restraint and Confinement Bill 2021” was a follow up to the presentation of the lead debate by the sponsor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (APC-Ogun) during plenary on Tuesday.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Amosun said that it was read for the first time on Wednesday, June 30.

He said the aim was to ensure stricter and more stringent punishment for the offence of kidnapping and bring to an end the debate of the adequacy or otherwise of punishment for kidnapping and other related crimes, like false imprisonment.

“It also seeks to combat and prevent any form of kidnapping in Nigeria. This Bill also provides more punitive measures for ancillary crimes flowing from the commission of the crime of abduction, like death or grievous bodily harm.

“To achieve the deterrent effect, life imprisonment is proposed for the offence of kidnapping, particularly where death results from the act.

“The law is made stricter by ensuring that recipients of any proceeds of the act of kidnapping are heavily sanctioned with a term of imprisonment of up to 30 years.

“The bill proposes to give the Inspector-General of Police wider powers to enable adequate policing of the crime of kidnapping.”

The lawmaker added that the highest term of imprisonment prescribed for kidnapping in the Criminal and Penal Code Acts was 10 years imprisonment.

“The light punishment against these offences has not helped in deterring the spate of abductions and kidnappings that have now become prevalent in the country.”

Amosun described the nuisance as a major national challenge that deserved to be treated with all seriousness. The bill was thereafter referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative action to report back in four weeks.