Nigeria’s Senate has overturned its earlier approval of the Proceeds of Crime Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, after identifying significant drafting, legal and policy shortcomings in the proposed legislation.
The decision, reached during Thursday’s plenary, followed the unanimous adoption of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who disclosed that the flaws only became apparent after the bill had been passed on July 9.
Bamidele told lawmakers that a post-passage review exposed inconsistencies and technical defects capable of undermining the bill’s legal effectiveness and implementation. He urged the Senate to withdraw its previous approval to allow for the identified issues to be corrected before the legislation proceeds further.
The Senate subsequently voted to rescind the bill’s passage, paving the way for a comprehensive review and redrafting process aimed at strengthening the proposed amendments and ensuring they align with existing legal and policy frameworks.
The move underscores the upper chamber’s willingness to revisit legislation where necessary, prioritising legal clarity and legislative accuracy over procedural finality.
