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NBA Slams National Assembly Over Bill Seeking To Criminalise Ransom Payment

The Nigerian Bar Association has blasted the National Assembly for seeking to criminalise payment of ransom by relatives of kidnap victims.
The association, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law, told the lawmakers to resolve the menace of kidnapping and insecurity instead of chasing shadows by punishing the victims.
The Senate had recently passed a bill seeking to amend the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2013, which will prohibit the payment of ransom to kidnappers in Nigeria.
However, NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Monday Ubani while addressing newsmen at the Bar Centre, Ikeja, said the law does not reflect the reality in the society.
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Ubani said, “The truth of the matter is that victims of kidnapping pay ransoms out of desperation and abject helplessness, knowing fully well that the State has failed and is unable to protect lives and property or secure the release of their loved ones from kidnappers’ den.”
He lamented that the government has failed to provide security, which is a fundamental right, to its citizens, yet they are victimising those helpless and desperate to save their loved ones.
Ubani counselled, “This piece of legislation under contemplation lacks logic and wisdom and the House of Representatives is hereby advised to jettison the Bill without any further consideration.
“It does not make any sense at all! Instead, the legislature is strongly advised to focus on laws that will strengthen national security and protection of lives and property, assuming there is a lacuna.”
