EFCC, Navy Rejects Bill To Criminalise Ransom Payment To Kidnappers

Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, The economic and financial crimes commission, EFCC, has rejected the proposed criminalisation of ransom payment to kidnappers or terrorists to secure release of hostages.

The Senate’s plan to criminalise ransom payment is part of ongoing amendment to the Terrorism Prevention Act.

However, the agency said instead of criminalising ransom payment to abductors, such negotiation should be subjected to security vetting.

The EFFC’s Director, Legal and Prosecution Department, Chile Okoroma, made this known when he appeared before the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; and Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes – for the public hearing of the amendment bill.

The bill, which was sponsored by Imo state senator, Francis Onyewuchi, proposes 15 years imprisonment for anyone who pays ransom to kidnappers.

Section 14 of the bill reads, “Anyone who transfers funds, makes payment or colludes with an abductor, kidnapper or terrorist to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped is guilty of a felony and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years.”

The EFCC , however, thinks otherwise. While Okoroma applauded other provisions of the bill, he said it would be unfair to penalise people who pay ransom to rescue their loved ones.

He suggested that the penalty be narrowed down to the receivers of the ransom, not the givers.

Similarly, the Nigerian Navy kicked against the idea. A naval officer, K.O. Egbuchulam, who represented the Chief of Naval Staff, said such negotiations would be subjected to security vetting and tracking of kidnappers.

“It is suggested that the bill could make the negotiation and proposed payment of ransom to kidnappers or terrorists to secure release of hostages, subject to the prior knowledge of ONSA/Armed Forces of Nigeria/Police for coordination.

“It is opined that subjecting such payment of ransom to security vetting and tracking is preferable to outright criminalisation,” Egbuchulam added.