Tough times await human traffickers as the Senate yesterday passed a bill which provides stiffer penalties for offenders.
Amongst such penalties intended to stop the illegal trade of human trafficking is a provision which prescribes a minimum seven years jail term for offenders, with a minimum fine option of N1, 000,000.
The bill was passed after a clause by clause consideration of a report by the Senate Joint Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; and Women Affairs and Youth Development.
Entitled “A Bill for An Act to Repeal the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003, it seeks to enact the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act to provide measures against trafficking in the country.
The Senate explained that the retention of the section “is a general offence which can be effectively prosecuted by the police or the DPP of states. Moreover, the offence of rape is adequately provided for under penal laws therefore there is no need duplicating the same provision in this bill.”
The Senate also amended Section 22 of the repealed Act that reduces the jail term for forced labour from seven years to five years; and fine of N2, 000,000 to N1, 000,000.
This, the Senate Joint Committees said was necessary, as “the punishment is slightly reduced to make it consistent with punishments for similar offences under the Bill.”
Also, the bill while seeking to address the issue of child labour was amended in section 23, which takes into consideration the socio-cultural peculiarities of Nigeria.
On offences relating to the smuggling of persons, Section 25 of the repealed Act was deleted.
This, the Senate noted, “is necessary in view of the provision of Section 26 which covers the acts intended to be punished.”
