NIGERIA: KIDNAPPING - ENUGU ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

February 19, 2009: The Enugu House of Assembly passed a law making kidnapping with the use of a gun, a capital offence in the state.
The law, however, stipulates a 10-year imprisonment for anybody found guilty of kidnapping without the use of a weapon. The law was an amendment of the original law which carried 10 years imprisonment.
Speaker of the House, Mr Eugene Odo, said that the law would curtail the excesses of hoodlums in the kidnapping business.
``If you are a kidnapper you better leave Enugu State or risk the death sentence if you are caught in the act,” he said.
Earlier, Paul Anikwe, representing Ezeagu constituency, said that the passage of the law would help to guarantee the safety of people in their lawful businesses without fear of being kidnapped. (Sources: This Day Online, 20/02/2009)