New Bill Proposes Prison Terms For Insulting Public Servants, Refusing To Recite National Anthem, Others

A new bill in the House of Representatives is seeking to criminalise and impose prison terms for dissenting actions such as insulting public servants, refusing to recite the national anthem or the national pledge, and participating in separatist agitations, among others.

The Bill stipulates that anyone found guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, defacing a place of worship with intent to incite violence, or undermining the Federal Government shall face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.

It also imposed a fine of N4 million or a two-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of insulting, defaming, embarrassing, or bringing into disrepute the leadership of a community, religion, lawful group, local government, state, or federal government.

The draconian bill, titled “Counter Subversion Bill 2024” is sponsored by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and it is set for its second reading, where its general principles will be debated.

Sections of the Bill targets protesters by imposing a fine of N2 million, five years in prison, or both upon conviction, for “anyone who sets up an illegal roadblock, performs unauthorised traffic duties, imposes an illegal curfew, or organises an unlawful procession.”

It also proposed a prison sentence of up to 25 years, a fine of N10 million, or both for participation in separatist agitations or actions that incite inter-group or sectional conflicts.

The bill’s explanatory memoranda stated that the legislation seeks to criminalise subversive activities by a wide range of groups, including associations, organisations, militias, cults, bandits, and other proscribed entities.

Sections of the bill read further: “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.”

“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.”

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Oluwatobi Odeyinka

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