In an effort to protect Nigerians who provide information to
security agencies during an investigation and prosecution of offences, the
Federal Government has made a provision that allows Nigerians to be kept in
foreign countries under witness protection.
Similarly, there is a provision that allows foreigners to be
kept in Nigeria under witness protection.
This is according to the Witness Protection Act 2022, which
President Muhammadu Buhari, had recently assented to and
passed into law.
Under Section 17 of the Act titled ‘Agreements with international bodies, institutions, organisations or foreign countries’, it stated that the relevant security agency would require the approval of the Attorney General before making any arrangement with a foreign country or organisation.
The Act read in part, “The relevant agency may, with the
approval of the Attorney-General, make an arrangement with a foreign state,
international body, institution or organisation on any matter relating to
cooperation between Nigeria and that State, international body, institution or
organization relating to witness protection.
“The relevant agency may enter into an agreement, either in
general or on specific terms and conditions with a competent authority in a
foreign country in order to (a) place a protected person under a witness
protection arrangement administered by that country; or (b) admit a protected
person to witness protection arrangement under any law applicable to that
country.”
The provisions of this Act are applicable to the
investigation and prosecution of offences relating to terrorism, money
laundering prevention and prohibition, and economic and financial crimes.
Other areas of offence include corrupt practices and other
related offences, drugs and narcotics and their trafficking, trafficking in
persons, criminal and penal code offences, and Customs and excise management.
It also covers any legislation dealing with proceeds of
crimes, confiscation and forfeiture of assets, and such other offences as may
be contained in enactments enacted by the National Assembly and designated by
the Attorney-General by an order published in the Federal Gazette.
To qualify as a witness under this Act, a person is required
to have information about the commission of an offence or wrongdoing, and has
given, is giving, or agreed to give evidence on behalf of the state in the
proceedings for the trial of the offence, or hearings or proceedings relating
to the offence or wrongdoing before an authority which is declared by the
Attorney-General by an order published in the Federal Gazette to be an
authority to which this paragraph applies.
A witness can also be a person who has made a statement to
the Inspector-General of Police or a member of the Nigeria Police Force, or a
law enforcement officer, in relation to an offence in contravention of law in
Nigeria.
It can also be a person required to give evidence in a
prosecution or an inquiry held before a court or tribunal outside Nigeria for a
number of stipulated purposes; or who has given, is giving or has agreed to
give, the evidence before an investigating authority, a commission of inquiry
or tribunal.
The family member or anyone in a relationship with a witness
may require protection or other assistance under this Act.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com