The Plateau State House of Assembly has introduced a bill seeking the demolition of buildings used for kidnapping, ritual killings, terrorism and other violent crimes.
The bill, sponsored by Eli Bako Ankala and co-sponsored by Speaker Naanlong Daniel Gapyil, Joseph Gokum, Abel Nimchak and Mathew Kwarpo, aims to deter the use of properties for criminal activities and improve public safety.
It also seeks to hold property owners accountable where they knowingly allow their buildings to be used for crime.
Under the proposed law, where a court of competent jurisdiction establishes that a building was knowingly used for offences such as kidnapping, unlawful detention, ritual killings, human trafficking, terrorism, cult-related killings or other violent crimes, it may order the forfeiture, sealing, demolition or any other appropriate action against the property.
The bill, however, provides safeguards for innocent property owners.
It states that no building should be demolished simply because a crime occurred there unless the court is satisfied that the owner knowingly permitted or participated in the criminal activity, or that the property was deliberately maintained or repeatedly used for criminal purposes.
Where a demolition order is issued, the relevant government authority is required to carry it out within 48 hours.
The proposed legislation also places responsibilities on landlords to verify the identities of prospective tenants, maintain accurate tenancy records, report suspected criminal activities to security agencies and cooperate with lawful investigations.