By Nathaniel Zaccheaus
The Nigerian Navy and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have rejected the proposed criminalization of ransom payment to abductors, terrorists, and kidnappers to secure the release of hostages.
They made their submissions at the National Assembly, Abuja during a public hearing on Terrorism Prevention Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, held on Thursday.
The proposed law sought to outlaw the payment of ransom to secure the release of captives.
The hearing was organized by the Senate committees Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; and Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes chaired by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
Section 14 of the bill provides that, “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.”
However, a representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral K. O Egbuchulam, kicked against the contentious section.
Egbuchulam said instead of outright criminalization, negotiation or payment of ransom should be subjected to security vetting.
He said, “It is suggested that the bill could make the negotiation/proposed payment of ransom to kidnappers or terrorists to secure the release of hostages subject to the prior knowledge of the Office of the National Security Adviser/Armed Forces of Nigeria/Police for coordination.
“It is opined that subjecting such payment of ransom to security vetting and tracking is preferable to outright criminalization.”
Also, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by the Director, Legal and Prosecution Department, Chile Okoroma applauded most of the provision of the bill.
Okoroma, however, kicked against the prosecution of anybody that paid the ransom
He said it should be narrowed down to those who received ransom not those that paid the ransom
He said the bill on terrorism was well-intended, but that the issue of prosecuting those that paid ransom should be looked at.
He said it should be narrowed to those who received payment for ransom
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Correctional Service in its presentation agreed with all provisions of the bill including the prosecution of anyone that paid the ransom.
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The Senate panel chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele said the bill sought to outlaw payment of ransom to abductors, kidnappers, and terrorists for the release of anyone wrongly confined or imprisoned.
He said, “The Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2013 (Amendment) Bill, 202 The Bill was sponsored by Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi. (Imo East Senatorial District).
” The Bill, among other things, seeks to amend the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2013 in order to outlaw the payment of ransom to abductors, kidnappers, and terrorists for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped.”
