Emmanuel Aziken and Shuaibu Inalegwu
17 September 2008
The violence in the Niger Delta region came to fore in the Senate yesterday as Senators from the region strongly opposed an anti-terrorism bill which they said could be directed at the region.
The anti-terrorism bill sponsored by Senator Manzo Anthony (PDP, Taraba North) aimed at curbing violent agitations against the state, was nevertheless passed through second reading following the commanding support of Senators from outside the Niger Delta region.
The bill among others, prescribes a 20 year jail term for any act of terrorism and other violent acts in Nigeria. Besides, the bill gives commanding latitude to the Attorney General of the Federation to hold in custody for up to sixty days anyone suspected of infringing the provisions of the proposed law.
The bill also makes provision against sponsors and financiers of terrorist actions in the country.
Leading the debate in support of the bill yesterday, Senator Anthony said the bill outlaws any act by a "person who provides, collects or makes available by means directly or indirectly, any property, or makes available financial instruments for the perpetration of acts that threatens national security."
Under the bill the Attorney General of the Federation is empowered to arrest and prosecute within 60 days any person suspected of perpetrating acts of terrorism that include, using of property for the purpose of committing or facilitating the commission of terrorism, harbouring or concealment of terrorists, recruitment and training of terrorists and provision of explosives or other lethal devices for the purpose of committing an act terrorism.
The bill further prescribes 20 years jail term for a person who conspires with another person in a place outside of Nigeria to do any act in Nigeria that threatens the corporate existence of the country.
The bill was widely supported by several senators who said the bill would provide a legal framework to fight terrorism in Nigeria and would make the country safer. It was also the opinion of some other Senators that the bill if enacted into law would boost the image of the country and enhance Nigeria's chances for a seat in the United Nations Security Council.
Supporting the bill yesterday, Senator Anyim Ude (PDP, Ebonyi South) said the bill was timely as he noted that it would help address the crisis in the Niger Delta which according to him has taken the colouration of terrorism.
"With the high rate of militant activities in Niger Delta, attack on oil installation, kidnapping and other violent activities in the region, one wonders if we have not acquired a terrorist status. We need this bill to end it all," he argued.
Senator Mujitaba Mohammed (PDP, Jigawa Southwest) also supporting the bill affirmed that the proposed law would protect the corporate existence of Nigeria. He however advised the Senate to avoid enacting laws that would become tools for violation of human rights.
"There is need to put in place a legislation to check terrorism which is so close now. We should give it critical analysis and make it in tandem with freedom of speech and movement and ensure it guarantees the fundamental human rights of the people," he said.
With the background of perceptions that it could be targeted against the Niger Delta region, Senator Ayogu Eze (PDP, Enugu North) in supporting the bill said consideration on the bill should be given serious scrutiny to avoid the pitfalls of bias against a particular section of the country.
"Those who use the name of God to go against the rule of law to express their interest would now be easily prosecuted. But we should check against situation where people will use it to witch hunt others," Senator Eze warned.
Senator Nkech Nwogu (PDP, Abia Central) giving a qualified support to the bill urged the Senate to be weary of enacting laws that would trample upon personal freedom in order to feel accepted by the international community.
"We should ensure that we do not go back to draconian ways where freedom of expression will be hampered by the bill. We need to revisit the bill to propound a national security bill that will capture our culture, tradition and political development. We cannot jump into it because developed nations are doing it. It must be in tandem with our socio economic and political development," she added.
Leading the voice of opposition to the bill was Senator George Sekibo (PDP, Rivers East) who expressed fears that the bill could be targeted at the Niger Delta region.
He disagreed with suggestions that the situation in the Niger Delta region was akin to terrorism even as he noted that the bill as enunciated failed in giving a specific definition of terrorism.
"The bill is targeted towards a given region. I want us to define what terrorism actually means. Until that is done, we will not be able to identify who a terrorist is. We cannot use America's definition here in Nigeria," the Rivers Senator said.
Supporting him was Senator Emmanuel Pualker (PDP, Bayelsa Central) who lamented that the Senate would be mistaken to relate the genuine agitation of the Niger Delta people for justice to terrorism.
He thus called for the proper definition of a terrorist activity.
"If the issue of terrorism is not defined, the bill stands as a threat to the good people of this country. Niger Delta is featuring too frequent here as if it is the only place with crisis in the country," Senator Paulker lamented.
Earlier, the Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba who seconded the motion had expressed reservations in some sections as he said that the bill violated Sections 4 and 232(2) of the Nigerian Constitution besides trampling with the role of the judiciary in administering justice.
Following the end of debate, the deputy president of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided at the day's session passed the bill for second reading following a voice vote won by majority of Senators voting aye.
The bill was passed on to three Senate Committees for final action. The Committees are those of Security and National Intelligence, Judiciary and Foreign Affairs and they are to report in four weeks time.
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