Finally Senate Passes Anti-Corruption Bill

The proposed law, Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between Nigeria and Other Foreign Countries, SB 224, 2017, will enlist international assistance in the fight against criminal matters.

Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between Nigeria and other Foreign States Bill, 2017 (SB. 224) is read the 3rd time and passed.

— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) May 30, 2017

The bill was sent to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari on January 27, 2016, before it was finally passed by the lawmakers on Tuesday.

The bill seeks to get relevant international assistance in cases of money laundering and provide framework for “other countries to assist in provision of and obtaining of evidence, making of arrangements for persons to give evidence”.

“The bill also hopes to elicit international assistance in criminal investigations, recovery, forfeiture or confiscation of property in respect of offences.

“The restraining of dealings in property or the freezing of asset that may be recovered, forfeited or confiscated in respect of offences.

“The execution of request for search and seizure, the location and identification of witnesses and suspects,” Mr. Buhari wrote to the Senate in January 2016.

The House of Representatives is expected to approve the bill in the coming days before it is sent to the president for assent.

Senate President Bukola Saraki commended the 8th Senate for passing the bill, saying it will bring confidence to foreign investors.

@NGRSenate @NGRPresident @SPNigeria @APCUKingdom @pmnewsnigeria @naijcom @DailyPostNGR @nigeriantribune @APCNigeria @thesignalng The Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill will strengthen collaboration with other foreign nations in the handling of criminal cases.

— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) May 30, 2017

The Mutual Assistance Bill that we passed at the @NGRSenate today will go a long way in bringing confidence to foreign investors.

— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) May 30, 2017