Delta States Law Maker pass bill on kidnapping, terrorism.

DELTA State House of Assembly, yesterday, passed a bill stipulating
death sentence for kidnappers and terrorists.
The bill, known as "Law to Prohibit Terrorism, Kidnapping,
Hostage-taking, Cultism, Use of Bombs and Explosives and Other Matters
thereto", was unanimously passed by the 28 members of the House after
consideration in a committee of the whole, presided over by the
speaker, Victor Ochei.
Under the new bill, a traditional ruler in the state in whose domain
hostages are held to his knowledge will be deposed or his kingship
withdrawn.

Also, a telecommunications company, which refuses to make available to
security agencies, within 24 hours of request, information on the
communication made by a suspected kidnapper or terrorist,will pay a
fine of N20 million for every request not granted.

The Clerk of the House, will, in thenext few days, dispatch the bill
tothe governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is opposed to death penalty
for such capital offences, for assent.
One of the lawmakers told Vanguard, yesterday: "I do not want to say
that the governor will sign the bill or not. But suffice it to say
that this is the second time the House is passingsuch a bill. He
refused to sign the earlier one. If he does that again, we will invoke
our veto power under the Constitution."
Highlights of bill
Other highlights of the bill are that the governor, or his authorized
representative, shall have power to sign an order authorizing the
sealing up of premises used to harbor personskidnapped or held
hostage, with or without the demand of ransom.

The bill states that the sealing of the premises shall remain in place
until a competent court decides on the forfeiture.
It is an offence under the Act, for a person, who, not being a member
of the armed forces, unlawfully receives or has in his possession,
bombs and other explosives with intent to cause harm. Such a person is
liable, on conviction, to 14 years imprisonment. The same goes for
those that manufacture the explosives.

It also forbids a person or group of persons from threatening the life
of anybody through letters, phone calls or other electronic methods
and gadgets, as any person found guilty is liable, upon conviction, to
14 years imprisonment.
Four person in authority who receives information on operations of
kidnappers and terrorists and fails to take properaction, he is liable
on conviction to three years imprisonment.
Community ruling organs, including executives of town, trust members
and youth leadersin whose domain people are heldhostage with their
knowledge are also liable on conviction to bejailed for five years
without option of fine.
Besides, those who aid and assist kidnappers to escape will be
sentenced to 21 years imprisonment on conviction.
Source:Vanguard