By Ezrel Tabiowo
Abuja
The Senate has for third reading and possible passage into law, a Bill which seeks cooperation with other countries to repatriate and prosecute alleged corrupt Nigerians and their accomplices who are staying outside the country.
The Executive Bill is titled: “A Bill for an Act to make provision for mutual assistance in criminal matters between Nigeria and other foreign states and for related matters, 2016”.
Leading debate on the bill, Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume noted that the legislation would fast-track the prosecution of Nigerians and their accomplices fleeing abroad with loots from the country and would also strengthen President Muhammadu Buhari’s war on corruption.
Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, in his contribution urged the Senate to support the passage of the Bill so as to hasten the battle against graft even across borders.
Na’Allah said, “Let’s agree to fight-trans border crimes. This Bill, apart from meeting the international requirements to fight crime and the war on corruption is a very serious Bill that deserves urgent attention.”
Chukwuemeka Utazi (Enugu North), who spoke in support of the bill, urged the Senate to approve its passage into law without hesitation.
Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in his remarks agreed that the Bill was key to the fight against corruption.
Saraki referred it to the Committees of Judiciary, Foreign Affairs and Anti-corruption to hold a public hearing on it and report back to the Senate in two weeks.
The Committees are expected to come up with a report on the Bill after the public hearing in two weeks.
The Senate also received reports of its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Special Duties on fuel scarcity, presented by Senator Jibrin Barau (Kano North-APC).
