The Plateau State House of Assembly has proposed a bill seeking to prohibit the use of residential and commercial buildings for serious criminal activities, including ritual killings, kidnapping, mob violence, terrorism, and human trafficking across the state.
The bill, sponsored by the member representing Rukuba/Irigwe Constituency, Hon. Eli Bako, was presented on the floor of the House on Tuesday in Jos. It is co-sponsored by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel, alongside Hon. Joseph Gokum, Hon. Abel Nimchak, and Hon. Mathew Kwarpo.
Titled, “A Bill for a Law to Prohibit the Use of Buildings for Serious Criminal Activities and to Provide for the Forfeiture or Demolition of Such Buildings in Plateau State, and for Related Matters, 2026,” the proposed legislation successfully scaled its first reading.
The bill aims to improve public safety by discouraging the use of properties for criminal activities while holding property owners accountable where they knowingly permit their buildings to be used for such offences.
Under the proposed law, only buildings proven by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been knowingly used for crimes such as ritual killings, kidnapping, unlawful detention, cult-related killings, terrorism, human trafficking, or other violent offences would be liable to forfeiture, sealing, demolition, or other lawful sanctions.
The bill, however, provides safeguards for innocent property owners, stating that no building shall be demolished solely because a crime was committed there unless the court establishes that the owner knowingly participated in or permitted the criminal activity, or repeatedly allowed the property to be used for unlawful purposes.
It further provides that where an owner demonstrates that reasonable steps were taken to prevent the criminal use of the property, the court may impose other lawful measures instead of demolition. Where demolition is ordered, the appropriate government authority is required to carry it out within 48 hours.
The proposed legislation also places responsibilities on landlords to properly identify prospective tenants, maintain accurate tenancy records, report suspected criminal activities to security agencies, and cooperate with investigations where necessary.
Meanwhile, the House also passed the second reading of a bill seeking to establish the Plateau State Creative Industry Development Agency to regulate and develop the state’s creative sector. The bill is sponsored by Hon. Dickson Chollom, Speaker Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel, Hon. Owen Dagogot, and Hon. Denty Laven.
In addition, lawmakers received the report of the House Committee on Health on a bill seeking to establish, develop, and regulate Health Management Information Systems, Diseases and Geomatic Banking in Plateau State. The report was presented by the committee chairman, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Sanda and was passed by the Assembly for the Governor’s assent.
