The Senate on Tuesday considered a bill seeking to amend the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act to impose penalties on Nigerians convicted of crimes abroad, including the withdrawal of their international passports for a minimum of 10 years.
The bill, sponsored by Abubakar Bello (Niger North), aims to redeem Nigeria’s image in the international community and curb criminal activities by citizens in foreign countries, which lawmakers said had led to widespread profiling and visa denials against Nigerians.
Leading debate on the bill on behalf of the sponsor, Onawo Ogwoshi, said the proposed amendment was “imperative and compelling” as it would “serve as a strong deterrent” against crimes committed by Nigerians in foreign jurisdictions, which have “dealt a crashing blow to the nation’s reputation.”
He noted that countries such as China, Turkey, Canada, Germany, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates had imposed stringent visa restrictions on Nigerians due to repeated reports of crimes and convictions involving holders of Nigerian passports.
He said, “Innocent and patriotic Nigerians suffer harassment in international transits, visa denials, and discrimination because of the actions of a few.
“The green passport, once a symbol of pride, is now widely discountenanced. That is nothing less than a state of emergency.
“If this law passes, it will send a message not just to criminals, but to foreign jurisdictions: Nigeria is serious about upholding the rule of law at home and abroad.”
The bill proposes that any Nigerian convicted of a crime in a foreign country would have their passport withdrawn for ten years after serving their sentence.
The measure, he explained, would “redeem, preserve, and elevate the image and integrity of our dear country.”
Tahir Monguno ( Senator, Borno North) described the proposal as “apt and germane,” saying it could not have come at a better time given the global profiling and visa denials faced by Nigerians.
“This bill will not only punish those who bring shame upon Nigeria abroad, but will also act as a powerful deterrent, letting Nigerians everywhere know that crime across borders has consequences.”
He lamented that many innocent Nigerians were suffering from reputational damage due to the criminal actions of a few citizens abroad.
Supporting the bill, Senator Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa Northwest) called for tighter control over passport issuance to prevent non-Nigerians from fraudulently obtaining Nigerian passports.
“Nigerians of all shades and colours are being disrespected in foreign lands because of the ease of acquiring Nigerian passports.
“In some cases, crimes committed by foreigners are attributed to Nigerians simply because they carry our passport.
“We must reclaim the dignity of the green passport. When non-Nigerians use it to commit crimes, and Nigerians are profiled for it, that is an injustice to our people.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also threw his weight behind the bill, describing it as “a bold step to preserve the dignity and integrity of Nigerians.”
He recalled a case in Dubai where a group of black men committed robbery using Nigerian passports but were later discovered not to be Nigerians.
“This bill will help tighten the process of passport issuance and ensure that those who mess up the country’s image abroad face the consequences.
“Any Nigerian who tarnishes our image should not only face imprisonment abroad but also lose their passport for at least 10 years,” Akpabio said.
The bill, which enjoyed unanimous support on the floor, was referred to the Senate Committee on Interior for further legislative work and public hearing.
If passed, the law will make Nigeria one of the few African countries with domestic legislation sanctioning citizens convicted of crimes in foreign jurisdictions, as part of efforts to restore global respect for the Nigerian passport.
“I applauded this bill when I first read it, because it speaks to preserving the integrity and international reputation of our nation”
Akpabio reiterated, “So as this bill, when it goes through public hearing and all, and comes back to us, and we send it to Mr. President for assent, and the concurrence of our colleague in the House of Representatives who helped to cope such incidents, who tightened the ways and manner in which Nigerian passports circulate in the hands of foreigners, and also where a Nigerian goes to mess up the image of the country, such a Nigerian should not just go to prison and be deported to Nigeria.
“Such a person should actually lose an international passport for at least 10 years, or 10 to 20 years, to serve as a deterrent.”
