Senate wants looters hiding abroad repatriated

The Senate seeks to pass a Bill that will enable repatriation and prosecution of suspected Nigerian looters and their accomplices living abroad.
The lawmakers on Wednesday passed for third reading and possible passage into law, a Bill which seeks cooperation with other to make it possible for such persons to face the law in Nigeria.

The Executive Bill is entitled: “A Bill for an Act to make provision for mutual assistance in criminal matters between Nigeria and other foreign states and for related matters, 2016”

Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume led the debate on the general principles of the Bill.

It went through a brief debate before its referral to the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Foreign Affairs and Anti-corruption for further legislative consideration.

The Committees are expected to come up with a report on the Bill after a public hearing in two weeks.

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Ndume in his lead debate noted that the legislation will fast-track the prosecution of Nigerians and their accomplices fleeing abroad with loots from the country and would also strengthen President Muhammadu Buhari’s war on corruption.

Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, urged the Senate to support the passage of the Bill so as to hasten the battle against graft even across borders.

Senator Chukwuemeka Utazi (Enugu North) supported the Bill and urged the Senate to approve its passage into law without hesitation.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, agreed that the Bill is key to the fight against corruption, and urged the committees to report back to the Senate in two weeks.

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