Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has signed an executive order banning a range of activities, stating that the measures align with section 14 (2) of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria and section 10 of the Public Order Act (CAP 382) of 2004.
Effective February 28, 2024, the executive order banned open grazing, open defecation and urination, loitering, driving against traffic, abandoning or parking vehicles on traffic lanes or driveways, overspeeding, and overloading vehicles.
Other punishable offences include loitering between midnight and 5:00 AM, improper use of public lavatories, unauthorised waste dumping, and littering with empty water sachets and polythene bags.
The order banned road excavation, farming on unfenced plots, building across water channels, and roadside hawking.
Setting rules for nighttime activities, it also banned public gatherings, such as rallies and wakes, after 10:00 PM without a permit from the Department of Public Order at the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, Benue State. Businesses must close by midnight unless they obtain a special license. Minors cannot run errands or hawk goods during school hours or after 6:00 PM.
Acts against public morality, like strip dancing, prostitution, using minors in bars, and indecent dressing, are also prohibited. Minors cannot stay in hotels or brothels without parental consent.
Disrespect for elders and authorities and the spreading of false information on social media are also prohibited.
According to the order, violations would result in fines between N20,000 and N500,000 or imprisonment from one to twelve months. Failure to pay fines within 30 days would result in property forfeiture to the state.
To enforce these rules, the governor has set up task forces, tribunals, and committees, with penalties decided by magistrates or Area Court Judges.
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