A Bill making “comprehensive provisions for the confiscation, forfeiture and management of proceeds of crime derived from unlawful activities” passed second reading in the Senate.

Leading the debate at the plenary session of Wednesday, May 17th 2017, Sen. Mohammed Hassan (PDP: Yobe) stated that the bill is aimed at providing a legal and institutional framework for the recovery and management of proceeds of crime and to eliminate corrupt practices during the investigation and prosecution of cases. Sen. Hassan explained that the Bill would harmonize existing laws dealing with the forfeiture of proceeds of crime and allow law enforcement agencies focus on their role of arrest, investigation and prosecution of cases. According to him, the asset recovery and forfeiture agency that would be established under this law would be empowered to establish a special account for keeping recovered monies in addition to administering the proceeds of crime as a civil forfeiture law does exist.

The Bill has been referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative input and is expected to report back within four weeks.