House Of Representatives Proposes 25-Year Jail Term, N10 Million Fine For Separatist Agitation

Abuja, Nigeria- The Nigerian House of Representatives has introduced the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, aimed at imposing severe penalties on individuals involved in separatist activities or actions that provoke inter-group or sectional conflicts.

Under the proposed legislation, individuals convicted of such offenses could face up to 25 years in prison, a fine of N10 million, or both.

The bill’s explanatory notes indicate that the legislation targets a broad range of subversive activities by groups including associations, organizations, militias, cults, bandits, and other banned entities.

The bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, is scheduled for its second reading, during which its overarching principles will be discussed.

The Bill outlines penalties for various offences against national symbols and authorities. It mandates that individuals found guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem or pledge, defacing a place of worship with the intent to incite violence, or undermining the Federal Government face a penalty of N5 million, a 10-year prison term, or both.

Furthermore, the Bill prescribes fines of N2 million, a five-year prison sentence, or both for those who set up illegal roadblocks, conduct unauthorized traffic duties, impose unlawful curfews, or organize unauthorized processions.

Additionally, it imposes a fine of N4 million or a two-year prison term for those convicted of insulting, defaming, embarrassing, or discrediting 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 stipulate that individuals engaging in activities that promote mutual suspicion, mistrust, or intolerance—resulting in conflict and violence that threatens Nigeria’s unity, peace, and security—will face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison term, 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, disrupt community harmony, disturb peaceful coexistence, or impede law and order will be deemed to have committed an offense. Upon conviction, the penalty is a fine of N3 million, 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.”