Terrorism financing: Senate amends Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act

Senate has commenced legislative process to strengthen the fight against terrorism and financing in Nigeria with the amendment of the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, 2018 which it has passed for second reading

The bill, sponsored by senator Emmanuel Udende (APC Benue North East), seeks to ensure Nigeria’s compliance with current Financial Action Task Force, FATF recommendation on the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

Senator Udende, in his lead debate, explained that the Act, when amended, will enable Nigeria exit the Grey List through International Country Risk Guide, ICRG mechanism.

According to him, the bill, which was first read on the floor of the Senate on 5th March, 2024, seeks to amend Section 3 of the Act “to allow Mutual Legal Assistance, if the underline offence is criminalised by both Nigeria and requesting state.

“This is regardless of whether Nigeria and the requesting state place the offence within the same category of offence or denote the offence by the same terminology, provided the conduct underline the offence is criminalised by both Nigeria and the requesting state.

“Section 17 is amended to improve the new subsection 5 to define without delay, within the context of Section 17 (5). For the purpose of this section, without delay means a period not more than 60 days,” the lawmaker stressed.

Senator Udende, therefore, urged the Senate to expedite action on the bill, saying its early passage would provide Nigeria the opportunity to exit the Grey Listing through ICRG mechanism.

In his contribution, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP Bayelsa West), urged the Senate to avoid concentrating so much powers in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and requested that the Red Chamber committees working on the final document should consider the Office of the National Security Adviser to coordinate some of the security matters.

Also contributing, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC Borno North) said the bill spoke for itself, saying that the bill sought to bring terrorism prevention and prohibition in consonance with international best practices.

He, therefore, stressed the need for Nigeria to amend its rules as terrorism was evolving with technology, adding that the amendment was important, as it would allow the Attorney General of the Federation to designate an entity, or individual as a terrorist.