By James Isaac, Abuja
In a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework against terrorism and improve standards in legal practice, the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; National Security and Intelligence; and Interior on Thursday, December 18, 2025, held a public hearing on two key legislative proposals.
The bills considered were the Legal Practitioners Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025 and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Adegbomire Adeniyi Ayodele, SAN, emphasized inclusivity as a core principle of lawmaking. He said the National Assembly routinely conducts public hearings to ensure broad stakeholder engagement before the passage of bills, noted that laws are ultimately made for the wellbeing of the people.
According to him, the public hearing was convened to provide stakeholders with a platform to deliberate on the proposed legislations and enrich their provisions in line with global best practices and emerging trends.
The Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele Michael, seeks to designate kidnapping and hostage-taking as acts of terrorism and prescribe capital punishment upon conviction, without an option of fine or lesser sentence. The sponsor argued that the increasing attacks on communities, schools, worship centres and public institutions necessitate tougher measures to protect lives and preserve internal security.
Similarly, the Legal Practitioners Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025, also sponsored by Senator Bamidele, proposes the repeal of the existing Legal Practitioners Act (Cap L11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) and the enactment of a new law to comprehensively reform and regulate the legal profession. Key objectives include restructuring the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, criminalising unauthorised legal practice, reforming the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and empowering the Body of Benchers as the apex regulatory body.
Declaring the hearing open, the President of the Senate, represented by Senator Tahir Monguno, described the bills as timely and capable of enhancing good governance.
However, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, expressed reservations about classifying kidnapping as terrorism and prescribing the death penalty. He noted that such provisions run contrary to international best practices and suggested life imprisonment as an alternative, adding that many state governors have shown reluctance in approving death sentences.
The position was echoed by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), whose representative argued that a blanket capital punishment for kidnapping undermines constitutionally compliant sentencing. On the Legal Practitioners Bill, both the Attorney General and the NBA agreed on the need to strengthen regulation of legal practice in Nigeria.
The Body of Benchers expressed support for the Legal Practitioners Bill, while the Nigerian Law Society called for its inclusion in the Body of Benchers.
At the close of proceedings, Senator Adegbomire Adeniyi, SAN, assured stakeholders that all submissions and views expressed would be collated and reflected in the committee’s report to be presented to the Senate for further legislative consideration.
