A bill aimed at prohibiting touting and related activities across all sectors has successfully passed its third reading and been enacted into law by the Anambra State House of Assembly.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, presided over the plenary session during which the bill was deliberated.
The bill, sponsored by the Majority Leader and representative of the Ekwusigo constituency, Ikenna Ofodeme, received a motion for the third reading and passage.
Subsequently, the motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Johnbosco Akaebobi, following necessary adjustments made during the deliberations at the ‘Committee of the Whole’.
This legislative action follows recent public outcry sparked by a viral video on social media showing members of the State Anti-touts Special Squad brutalizing and torturing an individual named Wilfred Ezike using short pestles and other objects, although the exact reason for the incident remains undisclosed.
Speaking in an interview after the plenary of the state Assembly on Thursday, the sponsor of the bill, Ofodeme said, “Every day, ndi Anambra are lamenting over the menace of touting in the state.
“When you talk about touts, some people think that it is just the one at the Onitsha main market. There are corporate touts at the Immigration, FRSC and other organisations and agencies.
“It has affected Anambra State most and that is why we have not been able to raise our IGR. This is what triggered the introduction of this bill.
“We are trying to close all the loopholes because the touts have graduated to criminals.
“Anambra State Anti-Touts Special Squad is the only way we could be able to raise IGR. It is another way to easily get most of these criminals arrested and hand them over to appropriate agencies.
“Why we placed SASA under the Ministry of Homeland is not because we forget that the Ministry of Homeland is strictly facing issues on vigilante and boundary matters, but the moment those criminals are arrested, they will be handed over to vigilantes.
“The law has exonerated the state executive and House of Assembly because we never approved torture. We have a sentence for those criminals.”
After the business of the day, the house, thereafter, adjourned till Thursday, April 11, 2024.
