The House of Representatives is deliberating on a proposed law that could impose a penalty of up to N5 million, a decade in prison, or both for individuals who damage national symbols, refuse to recite the national anthem and pledge, vandalize religious sites with malicious intent, or undermine the Federal Government.
According to the Sun, this was revealed in the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, currently under consideration by the House, aims to criminalize subversive activities by various groups, including associations, militias, and bandits.
According to its explanatory memorandum, the legislation seeks to address and prevent actions that undermine Nigeria’s stability.
Sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the bill is poised for its second reading, where its general principles will be debated.
Additionally, the bill proposes a penalty of up to 25 years in prison or a fine of N10 million, or both, on individuals found guilty of making statements or taking actions that incite separatist movements or cause inter-group or sectional strife in Nigeria.
It also stipulates fines of N2 million or five years’ imprisonment, or both, for those who set up illegal roadblocks, conduct unlawful traffic operations, enforce unauthorized curfews, or lead illegal processions.
Lastly, the bill prescribes a penalty of N4 million or two years’ imprisonment for individuals convicted of disparaging, degrading, or embarrassing the leadership of any community, religion, lawful group, local government, state, or federal government.
Sections 2,5,6 and 10 of the proposed legislation also stated 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 N5 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 N5 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 N3 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 N15 million or imprisonment for a term of 20 years or both.”
Sections 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, and 20 of the bill stipulate that, “Any individual, group, or organization involved in activities that undermine national security, community harmony, peaceful coexistence, or law and order is committing an offense and, upon conviction, is subject to a fine of N3 million or imprisonment for up to 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 N5 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 N5 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 N10 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 N1 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.”
