Senate approves 2-year jail term for dubious witnesses

The Senate yesterday passed the Witness Protection Bill, which recommended two year jail term or N500, 000 fine for any insincere witness.

The bill sponsored by late Senator Isiaka Adeleke seeks to enable certain persons receive protection in relation to certain information, evidence or other assistance rendered to law enforcement agencies during enquiries, investigation or prosecution under the bill.

Presenting the report on the bill, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator David Umaru (APC, Niger) said the witness protection programme was a universally accepted concept for the protection of witnesses, who are willing to provide information and evidence for the purpose of enhancing the justice system.

He said the bill seeks to address a major lacuna in Nigeria’s justice system as there were no extant laws in place to “address what this bill is to achieve, unravel highly organized criminal activities with the help of people who are willing to supply information.”