The Osun State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye has initiated bold steps to rid the State of the menace of kidnapping through the introduction of a bill titled “State of Osun Kidnapping (Prohibition Bill), 2019 which recommends life imprisonment for perpetrators of the dastardly act.
The bill which is sponsored by the Speaker of the State, Rt. Hon. Owoeye, was presented at the plenary today.
The bill will among other things reduce the likelihood of occurrence of kidnapping incidents in the state, proffer appropriate sanctions on anyone found to engage in or aiding and abetting kidnapping activities, deter anyone contemplating of engaging or related action and further guarantee peace and security among residents and visitors to the State of Osun.
The bill if passed to the law would jettison the current state law, chapter 31, no 364 under offenses against liberty; Slave dealing, which recommends ten years imprisonment for anyone found guilty.
While briefing his colleagues on the bill, Rt. Owoeye said the importance of the bill is to seriously check the spate of kidnapping in the state and makes the state a safe haven for all and sundry.
The motion for the first reading of the bill was moved by the majority leader of the house, Hon. Maruf Olanrewaju, representing Irewole/Isokan State constituency and seconded by Hon. Babatunde Festus, representing Atakumosa West and East State constituency.
Rt. Hon. Owoeye, thanked his colleagues for their support and cooperation.
He expressed his optimism that with the love being exhibited by honourable members, the parliament would take the state to enviable height.
The house later adjourned till 9th July, 2019.
