The Senate deferred a bill on Wednesday Oct 2nd, 2024 that aimed to establish standards and conditions for licensing the operation and practice of private investigations in the country.
The legislation, put forward by Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West), was not well-received by the majority of lawmakers during deliberations in the Red Chamber.
In his introductory remarks, Senator Ngwu, who serves as the Senate Minority Whip, outlined that the bill's objectives included creating a framework for the licensing and regulation of private investigators in Nigeria. He emphasized the necessity of implementing a system to oversee and maintain professional standards in the practice.
Senator Ngwu highlighted that the profession of private investigation is firmly established in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Canada. He noted that individuals working as private investigators often have backgrounds in law enforcement, military, or intelligence.
He further explained that the bill aimed to professionalize the industry, with provisions for defining the scope of the profession, setting standards, imposing penalties for professional negligence, prescribing offenses for operating without a license, and promoting industry-based training to maintain proficiency. He stressed that the bill did not carry any financial implications.
During the debate, Senator Olalere Oyewumi, the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, and Senator Victor Umeh expressed their support for the bill. However, senators Adams Oshiomhole, Iya Abbas, and Mustapha Saliu voiced their opposition, characterizing the bill as a potential source of personal conflict.
Aligning with the prevailing sentiment, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, urged the bill's sponsor to withdraw it for further legislative input, a suggestion that was promptly acted upon.