[b][size=16pt]TO curb kidnapping, some members of the House of Representatives, Para-military agncies and rights’ groups have endorsed death penalty for the offence.

Speaking at the public hearing jointly held by the House committees on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Police Affairs at the National Assembly Tuesday, the lawmakers and others agreed that there is a need for stiffer penalties than those recommended in the bill in its current form.

The Bill, entitled: "An Act to prohibit hostage taking, prescribe punishment for its contravention and other matters relating thereto," stipulates life imprisonment for anyone who kidnaps and 10 years jail term without an option of fine for anyone who attempts to kidnap any person.

It was sponsored by Friday Itulah, Samson Osagie and Dickson Henry Seriake.

Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Rose Chinyere Uzoma, assured the lawmakers that the agency supports the passage of the Bill into law. She said there was a drastic reduction in the quality of expatriates coming into the country for commercial purposes because of the incessant cases of kidnapping.

She said: "Statistics have it now that we have less than 20 expatriates working and living in Aba (Abia State) as the NIS has noticed that the quality of expatriates coming to Nigeria today is low."

A fallout of the trend, she said, was the exportation of kidnapping to foreign lands, with the masterminds being Nigerians.

A lawyer and first Vice Chairman of the National Arbitration Council, Mike Ozekhome(SAN) insisted on the death penalty for kidnappers who apply violence against their victim, and a minimum of life imprisonment for other offenders.

He said: "I, therefore, recommend that the minimum of life jail term prescribed by the bill, though in order, if it involves the use of weapons of violence, there should be capital punishment".

According to him, the nation is continually being embarrassed by the spate of kidnapping which, he said, has done a lot of damage to the nation’s image.

He said there was need to adopt stiffer measures to curb the menace, particularly as those now being targeted and who go through harrowing ordeals in the hands of kidnappers are the elderly who have contributed to the country’s development.

Head, Legal and Prosecution Directorate of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Ibrahim Joshua backed the adoption of stiffer penalties.

Others who supported the proposed legislation were the Legal Aids Council and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Speaker Bankole, in his opening speech read by Seriake Dickson noted that the 1999 Constitution guarantees the aspirations of Nigerians amongst which were to "enhance welfare of the citizens, peace and good governance and security of lives and properties," and that their realisation" is imperative for the economic growth and survival of every nation."

The Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who co-ordinated the event, stated that if Nigerians insisted that stiffer penalties be meted out to kidnappers and hostage takers[/size].[/b]


http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/13996.html

DEATH PENALTY FIRST FOR THOSE WHO LOOT OUR TREASURY AND DEATH PENALTY FOR CORRUPT LEADERS AND LATER FOR KIDNAPPERS,THEY THE HOUSE OF REPS WILL BE FAST TO ENACT A LAW WHEN IT IS TO THEIR OWN PROTECTION BUT WHEN THE LAW IS TO CHECK MATE THEM THEY WILL BE DRAGGING THEIR FOOT.HYPOCRITES,LIERS AND DECIEVERS.

Death penalty for all those who break the law.

Time to move our criminal system like Singapore.

Death penalty for looters, kidnappers, terrorist rapist and murderers. Jungle justice is acceptable as well.

MaziUche0:

Death penalty for all those who break the law.

Time to move our criminal system like Singapore.

Death penalty for looters, kidnappers, terrorist despoiler and murderers. Jungle justice is acceptable as well.

If death penalty is put in place for criminals in this country then we are about to see a new Nigeria

MaziUche0:

Death penalty for all those who break the law.

Time to move our criminal system like Singapore.

Death penalty for looters, kidnappers, terrorist despoiler and murderers. Jungle justice is acceptable as well.

Only if they can agree to pass a bill like this.

Osama10:

Only if they can agree to pass a bill like this.

Am not sure the reps can pass the bill because some of them use the so called kidnappers to silence their political
opponent

On death penalty for looters of treasury, corrupt officials and kidnappers, I stand!

MR Money £:

DEATH PENALTY FIRST FOR THOSE WHO LOOT OUR TREASURY AND DEATH PENALTY FOR CORRUPT LEADERS AND LATER FOR KIDNAPPERS,THEY THE HOUSE OF REPS WILL BE FAST TO ENACT A LAW WHEN IT IS TO THEIR OWN PROTECTION BUT WHEN THE LAW IS TO CHECK MATE THEM THEY WILL BE DRAGGING THEIR FOOT.HYPOCRITES,LIERS AND DECIEVERS.

Why do you people make such silly points? People are being killed, tortured and traumatised for life by these kidnappers and you're here making noise. No matter the order in which evils are dealt with, at least progress in the fight against evil is still being made.

IMHO, not just death penalty but public executions by firing squad is required. Treating this problem with kid gloves is making these criminals bolder than ever.