Kidnappers whose victims die in their custody face death penalty under the bill Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode signed on Wednesday.
Called the kidnapping prohibition bill, 2016, it was passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly on January 5 in response to high rate of kidnapping across the state.
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The new law prescribes Life Imprisonment or death penalty for the offence of Kidnapping and forceful extortion in Lagos State.
Gov. Ambode stated that kidnapping had become a major threat to the safety of Lagos residents, adding that there is a need for required decisive action by the government to stem the tide.
According to him, “This law imposes a penalty of life imprisonment for kidnapping for ransom. The law stipulates that, where a victim dies in the course of kidnapping, the suspect is liable on conviction to death.
“Security is of utmost importance to our administration, and we are confident that this law will serve as a deterrent to anybody who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of Lagos State.
“Our justice system will be required to execute this law in absolute and make sure that any criminal caught faces the full wrath of the law.”
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