Ambode signs anti-kidnapping, sporting bills into law
By Moshood Adebayo
Henceforth, kidnappers arrested and convicted in Lagos State face life imprisonment or death sentence, as Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has signed into law the anti-kidnapping bill recently passed by the State House of Assembly. He pledged to ensure the full implementation of the law, in order to eradicate kidnapping in the state.
A press statement by Habib Aruna, Chief Press Secretary, said the Prohibition of the Act of Kidnapping Law imposes life imprisonment on kidnapping for ransom, while perpetrators, whose victim dies in the course of kidnap, will get the maximum punishment of death sentence.
Governor Ambode said, while signing the bill into law, that the spate of kidnapping in the state had got to a level that required decisive action from government. He said the enactment of the law against kidnapping was one of such actions meant to send serious message to kidnappers.
Ambode said aside the enactment of the law, the state government was also putting in place appropriate measures, particularly, in the schools and other vulnerable targets to prevent kidnapping and other security breaches.
Said he: “Security is of utmost importance to our administration and we are confident that this law will serve as a deterrent to anybody who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of Lagos.
“Why we use this law to address the challenge and punish the criminals, we are also putting in place appropriate measures particularly, in our schools and other vulnerable targets to prevent security breaches and it is important that we ensure that everything we do in respect of this anti-kidnapping law is in good faith and good spirit to eradicate the issue of kidnapping once and for all in the State.”
Ambode also signed the Sports Trust Fund Bill and the Sports Commission bill into law, explaining that the laws would address key issues bordering on security and effectively harnessing the potentials in the sports sector.
He said: “The Sport Commission Law will give legal backing to the formulation and implementation of sport policies in the state while the Sport Trust Fund will enable government to raise money for the development of sporting facilities and activities.
“This fund will provide a platform where the state government can enter into partnership with the private sector to finance sports infrastructure, tournaments and programmes which will in turn create employment and generate revenue for the State.”
In his remarks, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, said the signing of the bills into law by the governor was a clear testimony of the commitment of the state government to the security of citizens and sports development.
Obasa, who was represented by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Sanai Agunbiade, said it was particularly gratifying to note that the anti-kidnapping law was an all-encompassing one, which prescribes punishment for the actual actors, those that collaborate, aid and abet and those who see the act of kidnapping being perpetrated and do nothing about it, as well as confiscation of property attached to the heinous crime of kidnapping.