Senate passes bill to protect witnesses in criminal cases

The senate on Thursday passed a bill to establish a witness protection programme in the country.

The bill, which was sponsored by the late Isiaka Adeleke, senator representing Osun west, was passed after the senate considered a report from its committee on judiciary.

Moving a motion for the consideration of the report, David Umaru, chairman of the committee, said the bill was seeking to create a protection programme for witnesses who were willing to provide information to the government in the course of litigation.

He said the bill would support the Buhari administration’s drive to fight against corruption.

“The objective of the bill briefly is the establishment and operating of witness protection programme to enable certain receive protection in relation to certain information or evidence or other assistance rendered to law enforcement agencies during inquiries, litigation or prosecution,” Umaru said.

“This programme is a virtually accepted concept for the protection of witnesses who are willing to provide information and evidence for the purpose of enhancing the justice system and whose lives may be threatened.

“So the need to have this legislation cannot be over emphasised as it will give the needed impetus and credence to the correct anti-corruption of this administration. No doubt it will also restore confidence in our justice system.”

Clause 15 of the bill provides for a N500,000 fine or two years imprisonment for witnesses who contravene the Act.

After the passage of the bill, Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, who presided over the session, said bill would go a long way towards ensuring better delivery of justice.

“Those in the prosecution department will have it easy in securing witnesses who are now sure of protection, we believe that this bill will go a long way in enhancing the delivery of justice,” he said.