The Senate Introduces a 10-Year Passport Ban for Convicted Offenders
The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step by moving to impose a 10-year passport ban on Nigerians who have been convicted and deported from foreign countries due to criminal activities. This initiative follows the second reading of a Bill titled: “A Bill to amend the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. P343 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,” which was sponsored by Senator Bello Sani Abubakar (APC, Niger North).
During the lead debate on the Bill, Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo emphasized the importance of enhancing the existing legislation to safeguard and elevate the image of Nigeria globally. He explained that the Bill aims to introduce measures that will preserve the dignity of Nigerian citizens abroad and protect the integrity of the Federal Republic.
A Deterrent for Criminal Activities
Onawo highlighted that the proposed amendment would result in the withdrawal of an international passport for 10 years if a Nigerian is convicted of any crime in a foreign country. This measure, he argued, serves as a strong deterrent against committing crimes overseas.
“This amendment will help redeem, preserve, and elevate the image and integrity of our dear country. It also demonstrates our commitment to good governance and our stance against crimes and criminalities,” he said.
He further pointed out that the commission of crimes by Nigerians in foreign jurisdictions has severely damaged Nigeria’s reputation. Countries such as China, Turkey, Canada, France, Egypt, Germany, Ethiopia, South Africa, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates have imposed stringent visa rules on Nigerians due to the high number of convictions.
Addressing Visa Restrictions and International Perception
Onawo noted that these visa restrictions not only harm Nigeria’s diplomatic standing but also affect innocent Nigerians who face harassment, denial of visas, and discrimination in social interactions. He stressed the need for action to address this issue.
“The green passport is widely discounted, and the sovereign pride it once carried has severely diminished. That is nothing less than a state of emergency!” he said.
He added that the current law on the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act is good but needs improvement to include provisions that act as additional deterrents to crime by Nigerian citizens abroad.
Support from Senators
Several senators supported the Bill during the debate. Senator Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa Northwest) called for tighter control over passport issuance to prevent non-Nigerians from fraudulently obtaining Nigerian passports. He mentioned that some crimes committed by foreigners are wrongly attributed to Nigerians because they carry the country’s passports.
“This Bill will help tighten the process of passport issuance and ensure that those who tarnish our image abroad face consequences,” he said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also backed the Bill, calling it a bold step to preserve the dignity and integrity of Nigerians. He recalled a case in Dubai where a group of black men committed robbery using Nigerian passports, but were later discovered not to be Nigerians.
“If passed, the law will make Nigeria one of the few African countries with domestic legislation sanctioning citizens convicted of crimes in foreign jurisdictions, as part of efforts to restore global respect for the Nigerian passport,” Akpabio said.
Next Steps for the Bill
The Bill, which received unanimous support in the Senate, was referred to the Senate Committee on Interior for further legislative work and public hearings. If enacted, the law will serve as a strong deterrent for criminal activities by Nigerians abroad.
Akpabio emphasized the importance of the Bill in preserving Nigeria’s international reputation and ensuring that those who damage the country’s image face appropriate consequences.
“This Bill speaks to preserving the integrity and international reputation of our nation. When it goes through public hearing and all, and comes back to us, we will send it to the President for assent,” he concluded.
