Nigeria Senate passes maiden anti-terrorism act

Reuters

17 Feb 2011

Nigeria Senate passes maiden anti-terrorism act

* Broader search, detention powers in terrorist cases

* Militancy in oil region, remote northeast a concern

ABUJA, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Nigeria's Senate on Thursday approved the country's first anti-terrorism act, giving law enforcers greater powers to detain and prosecute suspects and judges more guidance on handing down punishments.

President Goodluck Jonathan pledged in January to aid a speedy passage of the legislation after bombings in December in the central city of Jos and the capital Abuja led opponents to question his ability to guarantee national security.

The bill gives the police and security forces powers to seal off a property or vehicle without a search warrant and allows judges to order the detention of suspects for up to 30 days if they feel it is in the interests of public safety.

All terrorism cases will now be heard at Nigeria's Federal High Court where, depending on the severity of the charges, judges can pass sentences of up to 30 years in prison.