The Bill to make provisions for the seizure, confiscation, forfeiture and management of properties suspected to have been derived from unlawful activities has been read for the Second Time in the Senate.
Leading the debate on the Bill, Sen. Suleiman Abdu Kwari (APC: Kaduna) stated that the Bill provides for the establishment of a department in relevant institutions to manage forfeited assts, as well as provide an effective legal and institutional framework for the recovery and management of proceeds of crime. In addition, he noted the Bill provides for civil forfeitures in Non-Conviction Based Sentencing.
In his submission, Sen. Kwari informed lawmakers that the Bill is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s criminal confiscation procedure by ensuring that the total benefit from an individual’s criminal activity is calculated and an equivalent amount, where recoverable, is confiscated on behalf of the Federal Government.
Sen. Kwari noted that the Bill has no financial implication for the Federal Government, and it will strengthen the collaborative effort among government agencies to implement confiscation proceedings against a convicted person.
The Bill which was unanimously adopted has been referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
