“A Bill for an Act to make provisions for offences relating to Terrorism, Prohibit the financing of Terrorism and Consolidate all Acts relating to Terrorism (HB 333)” and “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Terrorism Act of 2011 for the purpose of Applying stringent prison terms for offences of Terrorism, and Remove the Ambiguities in the Act and for other related matters (HB447)” passes second reading in the House of Representatives. The Bills are sponsored by Hon. Mohammed T. Monguno (APC: Borno) and Hon. Ahmed Babba Kaita (APC: Katsina) respectively.
Leading the debate on financing terrorism (HB 333), Hon. Mohammed T. Monguno (APC: Borno), stated that this Bill seeks to repeal the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 and the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2013 and re-enact a single Act that addresses the financing of terrorism in Nigeria as the 2011 Act failed to make provisions for such. Hon. Monguno stated that if the new Bill is passed into law, it would criminalize the use of funds for terrorism activities including seizure of properties involved, transactions with organizations linked to terrorist groups and request from foreign states on extradition of persons involved in terrorism. He further explained that the Bill will ensure that the fight against terrorism in Nigeria is sustained.
Elucidating on the second Bill which seeks to provide stringent prison terms for terrorism offences (HB 447), Hon. Ahmed Babba Kaita (APC: Katsina) stated that the Bill seeks to Amend Sections 3, 4, 8,14, 15 and 23 of the Terrorism Act, 2011 for the purpose of strengthening institutions saddled with the responsibility of arresting and prosecuting terrorist in Nigeria.
The Bills which were unanimously adopted has been referred to the Committee on National Security and Intelligence
