Bill to licence, regulate private investigators fail to scale second reading

A bill seeking to regulate and provide legal backing for private investigators in the country on Wednesday at plenary failed to pass second reading at the Senate.

The bill titled “A Bill for an Act to prescribe standard and conditions of licence for operation and practice of private investigators in the country was sponsored by Sen. Osita Ngwu (PDP-Enugu).

The non passage of the bill for second reading ,followed the fear and reservations expressed by lawmakers on the bill.

The lawmakers had expressed fear that the bill if passed would empower private individuals to pry into the private lives of perceived opponents.

Leading the debate on the bill earlier, Ngwu said private investigators could be used in various capacities.

He said while some of the investigators specialised in tracing, others specialise in Technical Surveillance Counter Measure (ISCM).

This , he said involved locating and dealing with unwanted forms of electronic surveillance like a bugged boardroom for industrial espionage purposes..

“This type of service is typically conducted by those with background in intelligence/counter intelligence, executive protection and law enforcement.”

He listed the objectives of the bill to includes: “fraud prevention, detection, assessment and resolution; corporate fraud and risk management services.

Others according to him are insurance fraud and claims investigation, aviation accident and lossed investigation.

The rest are “marine loss investigation, occupational health and safety incident investigation; witness location and bail bond defaulters.

Sen. Victor Umeh (LP Anambra),who supported the bill said it was a well thought out bill to fill the gaps left by the EFCC, ICPC, and other security agencies.

“When due diligence is applied, a lot of high profile crimes will no longer be swept under the carpet,”he said.

Sen. Neda Imaseun, on his part said “it’s the bill was the best practice over the world”.

However, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo) vehemently opposed the bill saying “it will be wrong to create an open ended body” that will have the power to pry into people’s privacy.

“It could be a willing tool in the hands of political enemies.”

Sen. Aminu Iya Abbas (PDP- Adamawa) said the the bill if passed would be a duplication of efforts and functions of security agencies in the country.

Sen. Titus Zam (APC-Benue) said: “I rise to express my strong reservation as the country has enough investigators.

“Our country is divided on ethnic, religious and political lines and your enemies can use your opponents against you.”

Sen.Salihu Mustapha, (APC-Kwara) opposing the bill said the developed countries like the US and UK where private investigators was operating were currently experiencing a debate on the use of private investigators who pry into private lives.

He said certain conditions like the existence of national forensic institute needed to be in place” to streamline evidence been of a private investigator.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, thereafter sought the opinion of the sponsor either to put the bill to vote or humbly withdraw the it by himself for further legislative consultations and action.

Ngwu, thereafter opted to withdraw the bill.