A bill seeking to criminalize secessionist agitation in Nigeria awaits second reading in the chambers of the Nigeria’s House of Representatives.
The controversial bill is being sponsored by the speaker of the Nigeria’s house of representatives, Tajudeen Abass and is part of the 2024 Counter Subversion Bill. The bill proposes a 25-year of imprisonment or 10 million naira fine or both for any individual or group of persons convicted for promoting secessionist agitation or whose statement or actions resulted in inter-group, inter ethnic or inter sectional conflict.
The explanatory memoranda for the bill reads in part: ” seeks to criminalize subversive activities by associations, organisations, militias, cults, bandits and other proscribed groups in Nigeria.”
Also, the bill recommends a fine of 5 million naira or five years of imprisonment or both for individuals who refuses to sing the Nigeria’s national anthem or pledge, intentionally damages a national symbol, deforms a place of worship to cause violence.
Furthermore, the bill seeks to punish anybody convicted of criticizing, denigrating, insulting or embarrassing a local authority, a recognized religion, a local government leadership, state or federal government by 4 million naira fine or two years of imprisonment or both.
Similarly, the bill recommends that anyone who mounts illegal road block, imposes illegal curfew, holds illegal procession shall at the of conviction be fined 5 million naira or sentenced to imprisoned for two years or both.