The Nigerian Navy and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have rejected the proposed criminalisation of ransom payment to kidnappers to secure the release of victims.
A representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral K. O. Egbuchulam, expressed the position of the Navy at the National Assembly during a public hearing on Terrorism Prevention Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which seeks to outlaw the payment of ransom to secure the release of hostages.
The hearing was organised by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; and the Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes Committee Chaired by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
Section 14 of the bill provides that; “Anyone who transfers funds, makes payment or colludes with an abductor, kidnapper or terrorist to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped is guilty of a felony and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years.”
In his submission, Egbuchulam however said instead of outright criminalisation, negotiation or payment of ransom should be subjected to security vetting.
He said: “It is suggested that the bill could make the negotiation/proposed payment of ransom to kidnappers or terrorists to secure release of hostages subject to the prior knowledge of ONSA/Armed Forces of Nigeria Police for coordination.
“It is opined that subjecting such payment of ransom to security vetting and tracking is preferable to outright criminalisation.”
Also, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by its Director, Legal and Prosecution Department, Chile Okoroma, lauded most of the provisions of the bill, but kicked against the prosecution of somebody that paid ransom, saying that it should be narrowed down to those who received ransom not those that paid for ransom.
According to him, the bill on terrorism is well intended, but the issue of prosecuting those that paid ransom should be looked at, it should be narrowed to those who received payment for ransom.
