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Kidnappers in Lagos now to face death penalty as Ambode signs new law
The Lagos State government led by Akinwunmi Ambode has sanctioned death penalty for kidnappers after signing the bill into law on Wednesday.
The bill came into light after the adoption of a report presented by Honourable Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Petitions, Human Rights and Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
The bill which has now been passed into law by the Lagos State House of Assembly provided death sentence for kidnappers, whose victims die in their custody and life sentence for kidnappers whose victims do not die in their custody.
Moments after signing the bill into law Governor Ambode said: “This law imposes a penalty of life imprisonment for kidnapping for ransom. The law stipulates that where a victim dies in the course of a kidnap, the suspect is liable on conviction to death.
Read also: Jealous lover slashes boyfriend’s throat while asleep
“Security is of utmost importance to our administration and we are confident that this law will serve as a deterrent to anybody who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of Lagos state. Our justice system will be required to execute this Law to the letter and make sure that any criminal caught faces the full wrath of the law.” He noted.
Continuing, he added that; “While we use this law to address the challenge of kidnapping and punish the criminals, we are also putting in place appropriate measures, particularly in our schools and other vulnerable targets, to prevent security breaches.
“What we are doing in respect of kidnapping is in good spirit so that we can eradicate it complete from Lagos.” He added.
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seyi jelili
February 1, 2017 at 4:11 pm
This is not clear enough. Life imprisonment for kidnapping but if the victim,i.e , the kidnapped, dies,then he faces death sentence. That is normal, there is nothing special about the law. I thought when the kidnapper are caught , then they face death sentence immediately.
yanju omotodun
February 1, 2017 at 5:16 pm
I thought I was the only one who didnot understand it. Sure for the victim to die in a kidnapper hand is already murder which attracts death penalty.
The only thing I see special is life imprisonment and if the kidnapper is lucky, he could be among another governor grants state pardon.
Amarachi Okoye
February 2, 2017 at 2:17 am
Yes but not all some are been brib to be kept
Balarabe musa
February 1, 2017 at 5:31 pm
Most of these kidnappers are being sent by politicians . So that we should know, so the law might not take its due course.
Margret Dickson
February 1, 2017 at 5:31 pm
Bravo!!! I salute the courage of Governor Ambode in signing the bill into law. The first set of kidnappers to be caught will teach others lesson. This is definitely a good one
Nonso Ezeugo
February 2, 2017 at 2:15 am
Nice one to our governor of lagos we say thank you for given such rule
Johnson Amadi
February 1, 2017 at 5:36 pm
This law is very scary, if my girlfriend who her parents don’t like me spends the weekend or more days (in fact weeks) with me and her parents decide to file kidnapping lawsuit against me, will I be liable to life imprisonment too? Governor Ambode should please clarify this love aspect o
Animashaun Ayodeji
February 1, 2017 at 5:39 pm
If your girlfriend can proof to the court that you’re not a kidnapper, you may have to pay fine or go freely. Many guys will fall victim of this… I can perceive it already
chichi emerue
February 2, 2017 at 2:12 am
Same hear too
Roland Uchendu Pele
February 1, 2017 at 7:20 pm
Your girlfriend will be your only way out when you get to court.