A Public affairs analyst based in Delta state Efe Odhomor, has applauded moves by the House of Representatives to put convicted kidnappers in jail for life describing it as long over due
The House of Representatives is proposing life imprisonment, without option of fine, for anyone convicted for kidnapping and hostage taking in the country. However, if the kidnap or hostage taking results in the death of the victim, the offence shall attract a death penalty.
Similarly, the House is proposing that any property owner, who knowingly allows his premises to be used for kidnap shall on conviction be sentenced to life in imprisonment and the property forfeited to the Federal Government.
The proposals are contained in a bill sponsored by a member representing Ugheli North/Ugheli South/Idu Federal Constituency of Delta, Francis Waive. The proposed legislation, which is entitled: “Bill for an act to prohibit kidnapping, hostage taking and for related offences,” has scaled through first reading and awaiting second reading, during which the general principles, will be debated.
The bill also prescribes 25 years imprisonment for any person, who “with criminal intent, attempt or threaten to kidnap any person by means of a letter, e-mail, SMS, telephone call or any other method of communication.”
Reacting, Odhomor says the bill should be treated quickly and passed into law as the rate of kidnapping in the country is too high. He said government should clamp hard on perpetrators of this heinous crime to serve as deterrent to those who may be thinking to venture into it
Odhomor wondered why young and able bodied men will resort to that kind crime at the detriment of peace loving and law abiding citizens who are also feeling the economic hardship in the country
He said “how can an able bodied boy or man decides that what he wants to do is to kidnap people for ransom, he wants quick money right. We all want money too but we chose to make it legally”.
Continuing Odhomor said government should take the issue of kidnapping seriously otherwise in the next five or ten years the situation will be worse than as it is today
The proposed legislation equally provides that any bank staff, who divulges the financial details of a customer to a kidnapper so as to encourage the kidnap of the customer, as well as anyone who is aware of a kidnap plot and refuses to report to the police, shall on conviction be sentenced to life imprisonment.
According to Part III (2) of the bill,” whoever kidnaps any person under Section (3) of this Act commits an offence and shall upon conviction be sentenced to life imprisonment without option of fine.”
While Part III (3) stipulates that “whoever with criminal intent initiates a compromise, settlement or refuses to give testimony in court in respect of the offences stated in Section (3) of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to be sentenced to life imprisonment.”
Similarly, Part III (5) of the proposed law states that “the owner of property whether moveable or immoveable who knowingly lets or allow his property/premises to another for the purpose of kidnap or harbouring any person is guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be sentenced to life imprisonment and forfeiture of the said property to the Federal Government.
The bill also empowers security agencies, based on a court order, to obtain confidential information from telecommunication companies, where there is suspicion of a kidnap plot. Nevertheless, it states that where the telecommunication company refuses to provide the information within 48 hours, it shall on conviction be liable to a fine of N20 million for cash request made.
