Newsbreak: Call for secession, go to 25-year jail says new bill before National Assembly

By Ologeh Joseph Chibu

Calls for self-determination in Nigeria may lead to 25-year jail term.

The alternative is a 10m fine.

In a new move aimed at stemming the growing agitation for secession in Nigeria,the House of Representatives wants those making such calls to be jailed 25 years.

Critics think the proposed bill undermine freedom of speech and thwart the provisions of international law guaranteed by the United Nations and the African Charter on Human Rights.

Nigeria has been witness ceaseless agitation for a break up of the country by various sections which has resorted into armes conflict.

It is uncertain how the National Assembly hopes to stop demands borne out of historic injustice and the forceful amalgamation of Nigeria by alien interests through mere laws instead of employing democratic means of dialogue and constructive engagement with aggrieved parties.

The House of Representatives in the latest move will criminalise any demand for a break-up of the country.

A billed termed Counter Subversion Bill 2024 is now before the House.

According to the bill sighted by Irohinoodua the bill “seeks to criminalise subversive activities by associations, organisations, militias, cults, bandits and other proscribed groups in Nigeria.”

The sponsor of the bill is Tajudeen Abbas.

The bail is awaiting the second reading, during which the general principles will be debated.

The bill also will punish anyo e that destroys national symbols or refuses to recite the national anthem and pledge, defaces a place of worship with the intent to cause violence and subverts the Federal Government shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of N5 million or 10 years imprisonment or both.

The Bill stipulates N4 million or two years imprisonment for a person convicted for castigating, denigrating, embarrassing or bringing to disrepute the leadership of a community, religion, lawful group, local government, state or federal government.

In the bill, sections 2,5,6 and 10 of the proposed legislation states “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.

The bill continues that
“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.

Accorsing to the prescrition, an 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.

It states “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 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 N3 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 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.”
Sections 17 and 20 states 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.”