Bill to criminalise terrorism financing in Nigeria passes second reading

A bill seeking to criminalise international terrorism, funding of terrorism and seizure of terrorist cash and property on Tuesday passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, co-sponsored by Mohammed Monguno and Ahmed Kaita, was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.
The bill is entitled: “A Bill for an Act to Make Provisions for Offences Relating to Terrorism, Prohibit the Financing of Terrorism and Consolidate all Acts Relating to Terrorism.”
It seeks to prohibit the manufacturing, possession, acquisition, transportation, supply or use of weapons, explosives or nuclear, biological or chemical weapons as well as research into, and develop biological and chemical weapons without lawful authority.
It also prohibits dealings with charities linked to terrorist groups, request from foreign states and to foreign states on extradition of persons involved in terrorist activities.
Leading debate on the motion, Monguno expressed optimism that the bill when passed, would checkmate terrorism and afford Nigeria to join the comity of nations in the fight against terrorism.
Monguno said: “It will encourage investment and deter any person whether within or outside Nigeria who intends to carry out any terrorist activity in Nigeria.”
Section 38 of the bill seeks to empower the Attorney General of the Federation or Inspector- General of Police, with approval of the president, to grant request made by the appropriate authority of a foreign state.
It also empowers him to disclose any information in his possession or in the possession of any state government, department or agency, relating to the actions or movement of terrorist groups or persons suspected of involvement in terrorism.
When the bill becomes law, it provides that: “Any person who commits an offence is liable on conviction to a fine of N10 million or a term of five years imprisonment.
“Where a breach of subsection (1) of this section occurs and it is shown that the breach is not deliberate, the financial intelligence unit shall impose such administrative sanctions as it may deem necessary.
“But, where the institution continues with the breach, it shall on conviction, be liable to a minimum of fine of N20 million or 10 years imprisonment term for the principal officers of the institution.”
The motion was supported by many lawmakers.
Those who in its favour included Darlington Nwokocha and Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje.
While ruling on the bill, the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, referred the bill to the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence for further legislative action.