The Edo State House of Assembly has passed a bill imposing the death penalty for kidnappers and confirmed Kenny Okojie as Chairman of the Primary Health Care Development Agency.
The Edo State House of Assembly has passed a bill amending the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law of 2013, addressing related issues during its second reading.
The bill mandates the death penalty for kidnappers and requires the confiscation and demolition of properties used in the commission of kidnapping. It was approved after review by the Committee of the Whole.
Majority Leader, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, emphasized the bill’s necessity, citing the growing threat of kidnapping in the state. She urged her colleagues to support the bill, describing kidnapping as a grave crime that has caused loss of life and immense suffering to families and the community.
Other lawmakers, including Hon. Donald Okogbe, Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu, and Hon. Eric Okaka, voiced their support for the bill, citing religious and constitutional references to argue in favor of the death penalty for kidnappers. They stressed that such a measure could deter kidnappers who demand ransoms and often kill their victims, calling for strict enforcement of the penalty.
After the debate, Speaker Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku instructed that clean copies of the passed bill be sent to Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo for his assent.
Additionally, the House passed a bill to repeal the Edo State Electricity Law of 2022, which aims to establish the Edo State Electricity Market, the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Edo State Electrification Agency, and the Edo State Electricity Transmission Company, among other objectives.
At the same plenary, the House confirmed Kenny Okojie as Chairman of the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency. Okojie, an experienced health practitioner from Esan North East, was approved after the Committee of Rules and Business found her qualified for the role.
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