The Red Chamber of the National Assembly on Wednesday passed for second reading, a bill for an Act to amend the terrorism, prevention and prohibition Act, 2024.
The legislation will enable Nigeria to implement targeted financial sanctions on terrorism and terrorism financing without delay was sponsored by Sen. Emmanuel Udende (APC -Benue).
The Sponsor of the Bill, in his lead debate said that the legislation also hopes to give domestic designation to issues, persons and entities relating to terrorism and financing with immediate effect.
Sen. Mohammed Monguno (APC- Borno), in his contribution noted that the bill speaks for itself, adding that the bill aims at bringing terrorism prevention and prohibition to be in consonance with international best practice.
He said that there was a need for Nigeria to amend its rules as terrorism was evolving with technology.
He said the amendment was important, as it would allow the Attorney General of the Federation to designate an entity, individual as a terrorist, saying that without such designation, it would be very difficult for international criminal fighting organisations like the Interpol to accept an entity as terrorist organisations or financier.
He urged the lawmakers to support the reading of the bill for the second time.
Sen. Sieraki Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa) said there was a need to strengthen the mechanism in the fight against terrorism financing.
In a related development, the Senate also passed for second reading a bill for an act to amend the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act.
The bill which also seeks to include the Nigerian Financial Sanctions Unit and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Surveillance and prevention of money laundering in Nigeria was sponsored by Sen. Bamidele Opeyemi (APC-Ekiti).
The Upper Chamber further passed for second reading a Bill for an Act to amend the Agricultural Research Council Act, 2004 sponsored by Sen. Abba Moro (PDP-Benue).
The Senate thereafter having approved the votes and proceedings adjourned plenary to April 16 for the Easter and Sallah break.
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