The House of Representatives is considering a proposed law that could impose severe penalties for various offenses, including damaging national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, vandalizing religious sites with malicious intent, or undermining the Federal Government.
According to the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, individuals found guilty of these offenses could face a penalty of up to N5 million, a decade in prison, or both. The bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, aims to criminalize subversive activities by various groups, including associations, militias, and bandits.
The legislation seeks to address and prevent actions that undermine Nigeria’s stability, and proposes penalties for individuals who make statements or take actions that incite separatist movements or cause inter-group or sectional strife in Nigeria. These penalties include up to 25 years in prison or a fine of N10 million, or both.
Additionally, the bill proposes 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. It also 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.
The bill states in sections 2, 5, 6, and 10:
– “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.”
Other sections of the bill stipulate penalties for various offenses, including:
– “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.” (Sections 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, and 20)
– “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.” (Section 17)
– “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.” (Section 20)
– “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.” (Section 20)
– “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.” (Section 17)
– “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.” (Section 20)
