The House of Representatives is considering a new legislation that could impose a 25-year imprisonment or a ₦10 million fine, or both, on individuals convicted of making statements or taking actions that lead to separatist agitations or inter-group conflicts in Nigeria.
The proposed law, known as the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, is currently before the House and aims to criminalize subversive activities by various groups, including associations, organizations, militias, cults, bandits, and other proscribed entities in the country.
The Bill, which is sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, is set to undergo a second reading where its general principles will be debated.
According to the explanatory memorandum of the Bill, it seeks to address and penalize acts that threaten national unity and security.
The legislation is designed to curb activities that could incite violence, promote separatist agendas, or undermine the Federal Government.
In addition to targeting separatist actions, the Bill also prescribes penalties for other forms of subversive behaviour.
For instance, anyone found guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, defacing places of worship with the intent to cause violence, or subverting the Federal Government, could face a fine of ₦5 million or a 10-year prison sentence, or both.
Moreover, the Bill outlines punishments for individuals involved in illegal activities that disrupt public order.
Those convicted of mounting illegal roadblocks, engaging in unauthorized traffic control, imposing illegal curfews, or conducting illegal processions could be liable to a fine of ₦2 million or five years imprisonment, or both.
The legislation further proposes a fine of ₦4 million or a two-year prison term for anyone convicted of castigating, denigrating, embarrassing, or bringing into disrepute the leadership of a community, religion, lawful group, local government, state, or federal government.
Also, sections 2,5,6 and 10 of the proposed legislation state that, “A person who engages in activities that results to mutual suspicion, mistrust, distrust or intolerance which degenerates into conflict and violence that threatens the corporate existence, peace and security of the federation of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of ₦5 million or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both.
“A person who forcefully takes over any place of worship, town hall, school, premises, public or private place, arena, or a similar place through duress, undue influence, subterfuge or other similar activities, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of ₦5 million or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both.
“A person who professes loyalty, pledges or agrees to belong to an organisation that disregards the sovereignty of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of ₦3 million or imprisonment for a term of four years or both.
“A person who receives financial or political support from a foreign organisation, group or country that is not compatible with the interest, development, security and progress of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of ₦15 million or imprisonment for a term of 20 years or both.”
Also, sections 12, 13 , 14 , 15, 17 and 20 of the bill provide that, “Every person, group or organisation that engages in activities that undermines national security, harmonious community interaction, peaceful coexistence and the maintenance of law and order, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of ₦3 million or imprisonment for a term of five years or both.
“A person, group or organisation that persistently disregards, disobeys, or disrespects constituted authority, rules, regulations, order or contravenes the law wilfully, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to three years imprisonment at the first instance, and seven years for a subsequent offence or to a fine of ₦5 million or both.
“A person who habitually violates the law, refuses or prevents arrest, disrupts legal processes or proceedings, engages in contrary behaviour or persistent and recalcitrant, defiance and rebellion against constituted authority, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of ₦5 million or seven years imprisonment or both.
“A person who establishes, creates, operates or maintains, funds, supports or assists a paramilitary group, guard, brigade, organisation, corps, union, militia, cult or bandit group under whatever name or guise, except established by laws passed by the National Assembly or State House of Assembly, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of ₦10 million or 15 years imprisonment or both.”
While Sections 17 and 20 add that, “A person who illegally constructs a structure or takes over a public place, road or fields without permission from the authority in charge of the place, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of ₦1 million or imprisonment for a term of three years or both.
“A person, who owns, possesses, produces, distributes, imports, handles, uses military, police or intelligence agency’s uniforms, emblems or accoutrements, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N2 million or imprisonment for a term of two years or both.”
