SAHARANEWS – The Nigeria Senate has passed a bill which seeks to combat and prevent any form of kidnapping in the country.
The bill which equally seeks to prescribe punishment for the offenses of abduction, wrongful restraint and conferment for ransom, passed third reading at the red chamber on Monday.
This followed a report by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters Chaired by Senator David Umaru.
SaharaNews recalls that the bill which was sponsored by Senator Isa Misau (Bauchi Central) went for first reading on the 17th of May, 2016, second reading on the 5th of October, 2016 and was, thereafter, referred to the Senator Umaru-led Committee.
With the passage of the bill, whoever, with intent to hold any person for ransom, abducts or wrongfully restraints or confines such a person shall be guilty of an offense and shall be punished on conviction with imprisonment without an option of fine.
Similarly, whoever is guilty of the offense which resulted in serious injury to the abducted victim shall be punished on conviction with life imprisonment without an option of fine.
Also whoever is guilty of the offense which resulted in the death of the victim, shall be punished and on conviction be sentenced to death.
Again, whoever conspires (with a group or persons) to commit the act is guilty of an offense and shall be punished on conviction with life imprisonment.