PUNCH
On Tuesday, a controversial document entitled the Counter Subversion Bill 2024 went viral on social media.
The bill was sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, and it scaled through the first reading and proceeded to the second, where its general principles would be debated on July 23.
It aims to impose stringent penalties on Nigerians who fail to recite the newly approved national anthem or abuse politicians or community leaders.
According to the bill, anyone found guilty shall be fined up to N5 million and would face five to 10 years prison sentence or both.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have begun calling for the abolishment of the bill while describing it as “anti-people” and a “decree in democratic society”.
What the bill stipulates
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.”
The Bill also “states that anyone who sets up an illegal roadblock, performs unauthorised traffic duties, imposes an illegal curfew, or organises an unlawful procession will be subject to a fine of N2 million, five years in prison, or both upon conviction”.
Also, any 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.
The Bill also “states that anyone who sets up an illegal roadblock, performs unauthorised traffic duties, imposes an illegal curfew, or organises an unlawful procession will be subject to a fine of N2 million, five years in prison, or both upon conviction”.
Also, any 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.”
“If you protest or set up an illegal roadblock, or perform unauthorised traffic duties, impose an illegal curfew, or organise an “unlawful” procession, you will be subjected to 5 years in prison with N2m fine or both upon conviction,” it added among others.
Why the introduction?
The bill was introduced to target activities perceived as threats to national security, stability, or public order.
