The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to strengthen the legal framework for the recovery and management of proceeds of crime in Nigeria.

Sponsored by Hon. Yusuf Adams Gagdi (APC, Plateau), the bill proposes amendments to the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act No. 92 of 2022 to address legal and procedural gaps that have hindered effective enforcement.

Gagdi said the law, though landmark legislation in Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive, has encountered challenges limiting its impact in areas such as non-conviction-based forfeiture, whistleblower protection, witness safety, and judicial efficiency.

“The fight against corruption must go beyond conviction-based recovery,” Gagdi said. “Many suspects escape prosecution due to death, flight, or complex legal hurdles. Non-conviction-based forfeiture allows recovery of assets while ensuring due process.”

The amendment proposes: Establishing whistleblower and witness protection mechanisms under a new Section 81; Setting clear timelines for hearing forfeiture applications; Recognising digital and virtual assets through a National Confiscated Wallet managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria; and strengthening inter-agency coordination for transparency and accountability.

Gagdi said the reform would also allow proceeds from forfeited assets to be used for victim restitution, describing it as “a forward-looking reform that consolidates Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework and enhances public confidence in the justice system.”