The Senate on Thursday passed the Witness Protection Bill to enable persons receive protection in relation to information and evidence rendered to law enforcement agencies during investigation.
Presenting the report, Chairman of the committee, Sen. David Umaru, said that the practice that informed the bill was universally accepted.
“The legislation will give impetus and credence to the current anti-corruption drive of this administration. It will also restore confidence in our justice system”, he said.
During the clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill, Sen. Kabiru Marafa (APC-Zamfara) said “I don’t think N100, 000 is equivalent to five years imprisonment as penalty for offenders.
“We need to increase the fine because any person that is given such an option of fine will quickly pay the money. It should be increased to N1, 000,000’’.
Permitted to respond to Marafa’s suggestion, Umaru said “whatever we think is most appropriate should be done”.
He added: “Those in the judiciary will have it easy in securing witnesses who are now sure of protection.
“We believe that this Bill will go a long way in enhancing the issue of delivery of justice and ensuring that the judicial system is not encumbered in any way, especially in procurement of witnesses.
