The Nigerian Senate on Thursday approved the death penalty for kidnapping, as it passed a bill outlawing abduction, wrongful restraint or confinement for ransom.
The bill sponsored by Isa Misau, APC-Bauchi, was passed into law after the Red Chamber considered the report by its committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
The Senate voted for death sentence for whoever engages in the act and a 30 years jail term for anybody that colludes with an abductor.
Chukwuka Utazi, Enugu-North, who presented the report, said the bill sought to combat and prevent any form of kidnapping in Nigeria by giving wider powers to the Inspector-General of Police to ensure adequate policing of the crime.
The bill states in Clause 1 (3), “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 3 stipulates a 30- year jail term to anyone who colludes with abductor to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined.
The report was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers after a voice vote.
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