Senate to hold public hearing on anti-corruption bills Thursday

The senate committee on anti-corruption and financial crimes will, on Thursday, hold a public hearing on the proposal to repeal the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and other anti-graft bills.

According to a letter of invitation addressed to the public, stakeholders are invited to attend the public hearing, and the event is scheduled to begin at 11am.

Prior to the scheduled hearing, stakeholders were expected to have submitted their suggestions to the clerk of the committee.

Among the proposed laws to be discussed at the public hearing is “a bill for an Act to repeal the Money laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and enact the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act to provide comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the prevention and prohibition of money laundering in Nigeria and establish the Bureau for Money Laundering Control and Other Related Matters 2021 (SB 642)”.

Another is “a bill for an Act to repeal the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and enact the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act to provide comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the prevention and prohibition of money laundering in Nigeria and establish the Special Control Unit (SCUMOL) under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Other Related Matters 2021 (SB 789)”.

Also listed are the “Public Complaints Commission (Repeal and Re-Enactment Bill 2022 SB 644), and the Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Bill 2021 (till 645)”.

“As a follow-up to the referral made by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the committee in respect of the foregoing bills, the joint committees held a series of meetings to further deliberate on the provisions of the bills,” the letter reads.

“Taking into account the views expressed by senators during deliberation of the general principles of the bills, the joint committees resolved to conduct a public hearing to elicit comments on the merits of the bills from stakeholders and members of the general public.”