The National Assembly on Thursday agreed that any terrorist act that results in the death of another Nigerian would carry a death penalty.
This is contained in the report by the conference committee of the National Assembly that harmonised the different versions of the amendment bill passed by both chambers.
The Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 (Amendment) Bill, 2012 was passed by the House of Representatives on October 11 and by the Senate on Wednesday, October 17.
Presenting the committee’s report on the floor of the Senate on Thursday, Chairman, Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Senator Mohammed Magoro, said, “Clause 2 amends Section 1 of the Principal Act, which deals with ‘prohibition of acts of terrorism’ in general.
“The Senate version prescribes life imprisonment for offences under this clause, while the House version prescribes death penalty. After deliberations, the House version was adopted by the conference committee.”
“Section 1(2) of the House’s version states that “a person or body who knowingly in or outside Nigeria directly or indirectly willingly does, attempt or threatens any act of terrorism…commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to a maximum of death sentence”.
The committee adopted the Senate’s new section 17 which provides a minimum of 20 years imprisonment for act of conspiracy, whereas the House had recommended life imprisonment.
Both chambers also agreed to a new section 18 to a life imprisonment for aiding and abetting acts of terrorism, though it was moderated by a clause which recommended 20 years where the act was not committed.
However, the Senate could not adopt the report on Thursday because some signatures of members of the committee were missing.
Magoro was asked to return the document for members to endorse it before it would be passed.
Meanwhile, security experts say the absence of a coordinating authority for the counter-terrorism fight may hinder the efforts of security agencies to stop terrorism in the country.
They also believe that the amended bill on terrorism passed by the National Assembly was politicised and lacked the bite the law enforcement agencies need to prosecute terrorism offenders.
A senior security officer said, “The implication of this is that there is no central coordinating authority as the various security agencies would not submit their operations, intelligence and findings to a central authority as it obtains in other countries fighting terrorism.”
Also a former Security Adviser to River State Government, Chief Sara-Igbe said the anti-terrorism bill was not watertight enough, adding that until the loopholes in the law were closed through an amendment, the counter-terrorism war would continue to be frustrated.
He called on President Jonathan to send an amendment quickly, saying the lawmakers who passed the bill were “novices who don’t understand the dynamics of terrorism.”
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KUDOS TO SENATE HOUSE ON THIS .
ReplyDeleteHOWEVER I WILL SUGGEST SOMETHING FOR CORRUPT POLITICIANS OR CIVIL SERVANT.
Amputation of hands and legs for Corrupt Politician because they are not only killing present generation but future ones as well .
By Now , Bode George , Alamasia , Ibori's hand should be amputated .
Babagida , Obasanjo , Atiku , and Others should be ...
JUST PERSONAL OPINION OR WHAT DO YOU THINK ?
Senators are suggesting 20years imprisonment for aiding terrorism. Too bad knowing that 20 years is just 10 years. Day and night.
ReplyDeleteThis Shows that most of this senators are involve in this Evils. Little wonder they are being lenient with the laws.
Most times I wonder the kind of life we live in, where people who are opportune still get involve in evil because they are aggrieved about one thing or the other.
life imprisonment no, death sentence accepted cos one senator will fail a victim very soon, for linking classify information to ................ you know what i mean if you mention name na you sabi be dat, cos someone will ......
ReplyDeleteDon't Mind those senators..........they know sooner,they will fall victims.Death penalty is okay.
ReplyDeleteThose senators that have not put their signature on the paper should be forced to do so.......They want to escape the attestation but don't want to voice out their dissapproval.