The Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) on Wednesday, January 18, presented the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA) bill to the House Committee members on Human Rights in the Nigeria’s House of Representatives for the proposed amendment.

NACTAL in its presentation to the House Committee said the bill which seeks to amend the TIPPEA Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2015 (originally enacted in 2003) and to enact the Act (TIPPEA, 2022) will strengthen the Act by reviewing the Offences and Penalty Provisions, and Related Matters.

The organisation in its memorandum signed by its National President, Abdulganiyu Abubakar, appreciates the efforts of members of the House Committee in ensuring that the public were carried along and participated during the hearing.

“We, at the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), submit this Memorandum to the House Committee on Human Rights. We appreciate the efforts of this great committee for holding Public Hearing to elucidate citizen participation and adopting an inclusive process for the public hearing,” it stated.

According to the organisation, the proposed amendment would deepen the involvement of like minded organisations towards the fight against human trafficking in the country.

“Our proposed amendments is hinged on the fact that human trafficking is continuously evolving
and the need to deepen the involvement of local Civil Society Organizations in the fight against human trafficking for more sustainable outcomes.

“Having considered the current TIPPEA Amendment Bill 2022 under review by this honorable committee, we wish to contribute to the review process by highlighting amendments which would provide a more equitable, all-inclusive, and victim-centered legal regime for trafficking in persons in Nigeria,” it noted.

NACTAL however recommended that, “That all TIP cases when prosecuted be custodian and fined and no option of fine or sentence.

“Going by the Labour Act, 15 years old is the recommended. 18 is not realistic.

“Section 46: the second should include Any officer or any person who distort, altered, or destroyed evidence of prosecution should be punished for the period not less than 5 years imprisonment and three (3) million naira.