President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly (NASS) to
seek stiffer laws on his anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria.
President Buhari sent two separate bills to NASS which he hopes would
heighten the fight against corruption.
First is the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2016.
The bill seeks to repeal the Money Laundering Act 2011 as amended in 2012
to widen the scope of money laundering offenses.
It also seeks to expand the scope of operation of anti-corruption agencies
namely Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt
Practices and other Related Offences Commission and Code of Conduct
Bureau.
When passed into law, Nigerians would be required to do due diligence on
their customers or risk going to jail.
It however provides protection for anyone who discovers and makes
disclosure of money laundering.
The second executive bill from President Buhari is the Mutual Legal
Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2016.
This bill seeks to facilitate and create an avenue for Nigeria to obtain
assistance from the international community to fight corruption.