The Senate has moved to tighten passport laws by proposing a 10-year travel document ban on Nigerians convicted and deported from foreign countries.
The proposal, which passed its second reading yesterday, is contained in a bill to amend the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap P343, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Sponsored by Senator Bello Sani Abubakar (APC, Niger North), the measure seeks to deter criminality abroad and restore confidence in Nigeria’s passport.
Presenting the debate on behalf of the sponsor, Senator Mohammed Onawo said the amendment to effect the ban was aimed at redeeming Nigeria’s battered image in the international community.
“If a Nigerian is convicted abroad, his passport should be withdrawn for 10 years. This is a deterrent and a signal that Nigeria will not condone criminal conduct that soils her image,” Onawo said.
He said the bill is both punitive and deterrent and will discourage criminal conduct that damages the standing of the Nigerian passport and its citizens abroad.
He lamented that crimes committed by some Nigerians overseas led to stricter visa regimes and discrimination against innocent citizens.
“Innocent and patriotic Nigerians suffer harassment in airports, visa denials, and constant suspicion simply because of the actions of a few.
“The green passport is increasingly discounted. Its sovereign pride has been severely diminished. That is a national emergency,” he warned.
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Lawmakers rallied behind the bill. Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa North-West) emphasised the need to prevent non-Nigerians from obtaining Nigerian passports fraudulently, which has further damaged the country’s reputation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the proposal as “a bold corrective step”, recalling a case in Dubai where robbers carried Nigerian passports but were later found not to be Nigerians.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Interior for further scrutiny and a public hearing. If enacted, it will make Nigeria one of the few African nations with laws penalising citizens at home for crimes committed abroad.