Senate Advances Bill to Strip Citizens Convicted Abroad of Passports for a Decade
In a bold move to restore the nation’s integrity on the global stage, the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday advanced a bill that would impose a minimum 10-year ban on international travel for any Nigerian citizen convicted of a crime in a foreign country.
The proposed legislation, an amendment to the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, seeks to introduce a tough, non-negotiable penalty: the withdrawal of a convicted Nigerian’s international passport for a minimum of 10 years following the completion of their sentence.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Abubakar Bello (Niger North), aims to curb criminal activities by Nigerians overseas, which lawmakers argue have severely damaged the country’s reputation.
Leading the floor debate on behalf of the sponsor, Senator Onawo Ogwoshi (Nasarawa South) passionately described the proposed law as both “imperative and compelling.” “Innocent and patriotic Nigerians suffer harassment in airports, visa denials and constant suspicion simply because of the actions of a few,” Senator Ogwoshi lamented. “The green passport, once a symbol of pride, is now widely disrespected. That is nothing less than a state of emergency.”
Senator Ogwoshi underscored that the bill would serve as a “strong deterrent” to those who choose to tarnish Nigeria’s international reputation through criminal conduct.
The new measure is designed to serve a dual purpose: to severely punish wrongdoers and to send a clear, unequivocal signal to the international community that Nigeria is committed to accountability and good global citizenship.
If passed into law, the legislation will ensure that any Nigerian found guilty of a criminal offense in a foreign jurisdiction will be barred from holding a Nigerian passport and thus international travel for a full decade after they have served their time.
The bill now proceeds to further legislative stages for deliberation and potential passage.
Critics, however, have raised serious constitutional and human rights concerns regarding the proposed legislation, arguing that it may amount to double jeopardy and infringe upon the fundamental right to freedom of movement, which is guaranteed to every Nigerian citizen. Legal analysts point out that stripping a citizen of their passport post-conviction, effectively imposing an additional layer of punishment after they’ve served their sentence, could face significant challenges in court. Furthermore, they question the practicality of the measure, noting that a blanket decade-long ban might hinder rehabilitation and the ability of the ex-convict to pursue legitimate employment or critical family engagements abroad, even after paying their debt to society.
