Reps seek to widen net on terrorism act

..as bill scales second reading 

 

The House of Representatives is seeking to expand the scope of acts that constitute terrorism as a bill  for an Act to repeal the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 and  enact the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill to provide measures for the prohibition, prevention and combating of terrorist activities in Nigeria  passed second reading on the floor on Tuesday.

The proposed law expanded definition of what constitutes acts of terrorism and the crime of hostage taking, kidnapping and hijacking.

If passed into law, illegal manufacture, possession, acquisition, transportation of weapon, explosives, biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear (BCRN) or other lethal device that is deliberately used with malice will be regarded as a terrorist act.

Research into and development of the BCRN weapons without lawful authority, and the receipt, possession, use, transfer, alteration, disposal or dispersal of nuclear or other radioactive materials or devices will equally be regarded as acts of terrorism.

Equally, acts deliberately done with malice directed against a nuclear facility or interfere with the operation with the operation of the facility that leads to death or injury to persons or damage to the property or environment by exposure to radiation will amount to terrorism.

This followed the adoption of a motion Kayode Oladele (PDP, Ogun), who said the aim of the  Bill is to harmonize the Terrorism Act 2011aims to further control the movement of explosives, arms and ammunition in and around the country in order to curb incidence of terrorism.

He said the proposed law would provide for measures for the detection, prevention, enforcement, combating and prohibition of acts of terrorism for the effective implementation of international instruments on the prevention and combating of terrorism and suppression of the financing of terrorism.

“The bill incorporates any act which is deliberately done with malice aforethought and which involves or causes the manufacture, possession, acquisition, transportation, transfer, supply or use of weapons including explosives or biological chemical or nuclear weapons among others without lawful authority,” he said.

Simon Arabor (APC, Kaduna), in his contribution said the bill is over due and should be supported as it seeks to incorporate the relevant section of terrorism in one bill.

On his part, Rotimi Agunsoye(APC, Lagos) said there is a need for a closer look at the porousness of the Nigerian border and the data base of Nigerians to enable it check and contain terrorism.

Edward Pwajok (APC,  Plateau) pointed out that fair hearing is important, before and during a court process in the period of litigation.

“Remanding someone for more than 24 hours without proper bail was in contravention of the Law, except in the case where the freedom of the suspect can be viewed to be a threat to society or to him or herself,” he added.

Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno) said that if passed and implemented, the application of the provisions of the Bill would be vital in the fight against such societal vices as kidnapping, hijacking and terrorism.

The bill was referred  to the Committee on Security and Intelligence for further legislative input after it was unanimously passed in a voice vote.

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