The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill seeking to strip Nigerians convicted abroad of their passport for at least 10 years.
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The bill, which has scaled second reading, was sponsored by Abubakar Bello, representing Niger North, and seeks to amend the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, intended to deter criminal conduct by Nigerians abroad.
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‎The bill, if passed into law, will impose a stringent penalty, including a passport ban, on offenders who tarnish the image of the Nigerian passport on the global scene.
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‎Onawo Ogwoshi, representing Nasarawa South, led the debate on behalf of the sponsor, Mr Bello.
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‎Mr Ogwoshi described the bill as an imperative and compelling means to deter individuals from damaging the international reputation of the Nigerian passport with their involvement in criminal activities.
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‎”Innocent and patriotic Nigerians suffer harassment in airports, visa denials, and constant suspicion simply because of the actions of a few. The green passport, once a symbol of pride, is now widely disrespected. That is nothing less than a state of emergency,” Mr Ogwoshi said.
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‎He added, “A major reason for the visa restriction is the significant commission of crimes and conviction of Nigerians in those countries.”
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‎He further stated that the effect of these criminal activities “projects Nigeria as a persona non grata to whom foreign visas are restricted or denied”.
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‎The bill, if approved, will strip Nigerians convicted abroad of their passports for a period of not less than 10 years after the completion of their sentence.
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