The Senate made a significant move on Tuesday by passing an amendment to the Extradition Act, 2004, marking a crucial step towards enhancing Nigeria’s international cooperation in criminal matters. Led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the proposed amendment aims to expand the scope of extradition requests beyond just Commonwealth countries to include nations with which Nigeria has signed extradition treaties.
In his address to the Senate, Bamidele highlighted the importance of updating the Act to align with global standards in combating money laundering and terrorism financing. He emphasized the need for Nigeria to fulfill its obligations to international bodies and secure its removal from the grey list by ensuring compliance with extradition protocols.
The proposed changes in Sections 2 and 7 of the Act seek to streamline the process of issuing warrants of arrest for extradition requests, ensuring a more efficient and effective mechanism for cross-border cooperation in criminal matters. This legislative initiative underscores Nigeria’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and strengthening its international partnerships in combating transnational crime.
The bill received overwhelming support in the Senate, with a majority voice vote endorsing its passage to the Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights for further review. Concurrently, both the Senate and the House of Representatives are actively engaged in refining the bill to enhance Nigeria’s extradition framework.
As Nigeria continues to play a pivotal role in regional and global security efforts, the amendment to the Extradition Act represents a crucial step towards bolstering the country’s legal infrastructure and fostering greater collaboration with international partners. This legislative development underscores Nigeria’s proactive stance in addressing transnational crime and upholding the principles of justice and accountability on the global stage.
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