The Senate has taken significant steps towards enhancing Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and financing by proposing amendments to the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act of 2018. This legislative move, passed for second reading, aims to align Nigeria’s laws with the current recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
Spearheaded by Senator Emmanuel Udende of APC representing Benue North East, the bill seeks to ensure Nigeria’s compliance with international standards, particularly the FATF recommendations. Senator Udende emphasized that the amendments are crucial for Nigeria to exit the Grey List through the International Country Risk Guide (ICRG) mechanism.
The proposed amendments focus on Section 3 of the Act, aiming to allow Mutual Legal Assistance even if the underlying offense is criminalized differently by Nigeria and the requesting state, as long as the conduct underlying the offense is criminalized by both parties. Furthermore, Section 17 is to be amended to define “without delay” as a period not exceeding 60 days.
Senator Udende urged the Senate to fast-track the bill’s passage, highlighting the importance of early enactment for Nigeria’s removal from the Grey List.
In their contributions, Senators Seriake Dickson and Mohammed Monguno stressed the importance of ensuring a balanced distribution of powers, advocating for considerations beyond the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) in matters of security coordination. Senator Monguno emphasized the necessity of amending Nigeria’s laws to adapt to evolving terrorist tactics and technological advancements.
Overall, the proposed amendments signify Nigeria’s commitment to aligning its legal framework with international best practices in combating terrorism financing.
