The Osun State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill prohibiting kidnapping, banditry and ritual killings in the state into law.
The bill was passed after third reading at the floor of the house.
The bill replaced section 364 of the criminal code cap 38 law of Osun which stipulates ten years for kidnappers to death penalty.
Speaking at the floor of the house, Timothy Owoeye said having passed the bill, it would sent to the state governor, Gboyega Oyetola for his assent.
The bill reads that “Any person who kidnaps another person by any means or instilling fear or tricks or compels another to do anything against his will commits an offence. Where the life of the person kidnapped is lost in the process and the kidnapper is liable on conviction, he or she is to be sentenced to death.”
“Not lost in the process, but he is released upon payment of a ransom or performance of a ransom act, the kidnapper is liable on conviction to repay the sum he/she received as ransom and to imprisonment for life and the ransom act shall be reversed.
“Any person who knowingly or willingly allows his premises, building or place belonging to or occupied by him or her and which he has control over to be used for purposes or keeping a kidnapped person, commits an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for 15years and such building shall be forfeited to government for public use”, it fully read.
