The Nigerian Senate has today rejected the bill to regulate and provide rules and conditions for private investigators to operate.
The bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Prescribe Standard and Conditions of Licence for Operation and Practice of Private Investigators in the Country was sponsored by Sen.Osita, Ngwu (PDP-Enugu).
Senator Ngwu ,who also serve as Minority Whip, maintained that the aimed of the bill is to establish a system for the licensing and regulation of private investigators, as well as setting standards for their professional conduct.
“This type of service is typically conducted by those with a background in intelligence/counterintelligence, executive protection and law enforcement.”
“While others come from the military and intelligence sectors.
“fraud prevention, detection, assessment and resolution; corporate fraud and risk management services.
“marine loss investigation, occupational health and safety incident investigation; witness location and bail bond defaulters.
“The objectives of the bill include fraud prevention, detection, assessment and resolution; corporate fraud and risk management services; insurance fraud and claims investigation; aviation accident and loss investigation; marine loss investigation; occupational health and safety incident investigation; and witness location and bail bond defaulters etc.
“The bill defines the scope of the profession; ensures standards; provides penalty for professional negligence; prescribes offences for operation without a license and encourages industry-based training to maintain capacity.
“The bill essentially seeks to professionalize the industry and has no financial implication,”
Senator Victor Umeh (LP Anambra), supported the bill said it was a well-thought-out bill to fill the gaps left by the EFCC, ICPC, and other security agencies.
“When due diligence is applied, a lot of high-profile crimes will no longer be swept under the carpet,” and also Sen. Neda Imaseun.
But the bill fail to passed second reading because of the majority of the lawmakers kicked against it , expressed fear that the bill if passed would empower private individuals to pry into the private lives of perceived opponents.
Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo ) kicked against the bill saying “it will be wrong to create an open-ended body” that will have the power to pry into people’s privacy.
” It could be a willing tool in the hands of political enemies.”
Sen. Aminu Iya Abbas (PDP- Adamawa) opposes the bill .
Sen. Titus Zam (APC-Benue) said:
“I rise to express my strong reservation as the country has enough investigators.
“Our country is divided on ethnic, religious and political lines and your enemies can use your opponents against you.”
Sen.Salihu Mustapha,(APC- Kwara ) kicked against it.
The Senate, Godswill Akpabio ,having listened to the various arguments made by the lawmakers, called on the bill’s sponsor to withdraw it for further legislative inputs, which he responded accordingly.
