Criminal Penalties For Govt Officials Who Negotiate Random - Deputy Speaker of House of Rep, Ben Kalu, Proposes Laws to Tackle Kidnapping

By: Israel Adeleke

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that amid killings, kidnapping, insecurities, and threat to Nigerians' lives going on in the country, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has thought it prudent to propose some law that will help manage the rampant crimes unfolding in the country.

OTN News further reports as gathered that, Kalu who proposed this while speaking at the lower chamber's special session on national security, on Tuesday, proposed penalties for government officials who negotiate ransom payments.

According to him, as you all know, Nigeria’s security challenges as it is now, demand urgent action. The priority of legislative agenda. What do we need to do in our phase one, between now and six months? What is the foundation of what we need to do? What is the crisis response that the parliament needs to look into? 

"Number one is anti-banditry resolution: to legally prohibit ransom negotiation and mandate criminal justice process over amnesty programmes.

“The key provisions are are follows: (1)Criminal penalties for government officials who negotiate ransom or authorise unstructured amnesty deals.”

“Number two is mandatory prosecution through the criminal justice system for all banditry suspects," he added.

OTN News observes that the Abia-born lawmaker, who further decried the rising insecurity in Nigeria, said he believes that the situation needs urgent action from the Federal Government and security agencies.

Kalu, who also told the lawmakers and others who attended the special session that this new laws he proposed will help reduce if not curb the menace in the country, called for better policing, suggesting the speeding up of the process for the creation of state or local police.

According to him, with the use of modern equipment, Nigeria’s security agencies, especially the police, can better address crimes in Nigeria.

OTN News observe, that the session came in the wake of heightened insecurity in the country, especially in recent weeks, where gunmen have abducted schoolchildren and worshippers in parts of Nigeria.