Ambode okays death penalty for kidnappers

• Signs Sports Commission, Trust Fund Bills

The Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday signed into law, the bill prescribing death penalty for kidnappers. While the law stipulated death sentence for kidnappers whose victim dies in their custody, it prescribed life imprisonment for those who kidnap for ransom.

The governor expressed the hope that the law would eradicate kidnapping and prevent security breaches in schools. While promising to fully implement the law, he said kidnapping had become a major threat in the state, which deserves to be decisively tackled.

Ambode urged stakeholders to collaborate to ensure that kidnapping is eradicated in the state. He said: “Security is of utmost importance to our administration and we are confident that this law would serve as a deterrent to anybody who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of the state.

“While the law would address the challenges posed by kidnapping and punish the criminals, we would also put appropriate measures in place to prevent security breaches.”

Also signed into law were the state Sports Commission and Sports Trust Fund Bills. “The sports commission law gives legal backing to the formulation and implementation of sports policies in the state while the sports trust fund enables government to raise money for the development of sporting facilities and activities.

“As provided for in the law, a board of trustees comprising all stakeholders in the sports community would be inaugurated soon to manage the fund. By these laws, we have restated our commitment to making Lagos the hub of sports in Nigeria,” he said.

While commending the leadership of the state House of Assembly for its support, he explained: “These laws were enacted to address the key issues bordering on security and effectively harnessing the potentials in the sports sector.”