The Federal Government is said to have sent to the National Assembly, a bill seeking to establish a special anti-corruption court to try serious crimes, especially the big looters.
The Special Crimes Bill 2016 was drafted by Prof. Itse Sagay-led Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC).
The proposed court will exclusively handle corruption cases and others including narcotic, human trafficking, kidnapping, cybercrime, money laundering and other related offences.
The offences under the existing legal framework are being prosecuted by the some law enforcement agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC before the Federal High Courts and State High Courts.
The intention of the bill is to ensure speedy trials of the offences – as indicated in its title which reads – “An Act to provide for the establishment of a Special Crimes Court as a superior court of record to allow for speedy trials of certain offences, including economic and financial crimes, terrorism, money laundering and corruption offences and for related matters”.
PACAC had earlier sent the proposed bill to the AGF for onward transmission to the National Assembly as an executive bill.
When contacted by Punch on Tuesday, Chairman of PACAC, Sagay, confirmed that the bill had been sent to the National Assembly.
“As far as I know, the bill has been sent to the National Assembly,” Sagay said.
