Senate Approves Two Years Jail Term For Insincere Witnesses

The Senate on Thursday passed for third reading, the Witness Protection Bill that recommends a two -year jail term or N500, 000 fine for any insincere witness in court. Judicial symbol for justice In the

Bill, which seeks to protect witnesses, it also made provisions for stiff punishment for anyone who abruptly pulls out of any ongoing case for which he’s standing in a witness. The passed Witness Protection Bill would enable certain persons receive protection in relation to certain information and evidence people render to law enforcement agencies during investigation. The bill which seeks to enable certain person receive protection in relation to certain information, evidence or other assistance rendered to law enforcement agencies during enquiries, investigation or prosecution under the bill was sponsored by late Senator Isiaka Adeleke who represented Osun West Senatorial District in the current 8th Senate before his death in April this year. Presenting the report, Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator David Umaru, APC, Niger East while highlighting the essence of the Bill, stated that the witness protection programme contained in the bill is a universally accepted concept for the protection of witnesses who are willing to provide information and evidence for the purpose of enhancing the justice systems and whose lives may be threatened. According to him, the bill seeks to address a major lacuna in Nigeria’s justice system as there are no extant laws in place which are specific enough to “address what this bill is to achieve, unravel highly organized criminal activities with the help of people who are willing to supply information. “It is to give impetus to the current anti-corruption drive of this administration. No doubt it would restore confidence to our justice system. “It also seek to provide an enabling environment to effect government policies that enhance the administration of criminal justice and the fight against corruption and assist unravel criminal activities which has constituted major challenges in corporate existence. “Such a programme is a universally accepted programme for the protection of witnesses willing to provide information and evidence for the purpose of enhancing a justice system and whose lives may be threatened as a result thereof. “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.” Speaking on the findings, Senator Umaru said.
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