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Updated: Reps propose long imprisonment for separatists, national symbol destroyers
Updated: Reps propose long imprisonment for separatists, national symbol destroyers
Promoters of secessionist movements and other acts that try to put Nigeria down may be spending long term in jail going by a new bill before the House of Representatives.
The House is proposing a 25-year imprisonment or N10 million fine, or both, for any person convicted of an action that can lead to sectional conflict or separation in the country.
The proposed legislation, according to its explanatory memoranda, “seeks to criminalise subversive activities by associations, organisations, militias, cults, bandits and other proscribed groups in Nigeria.”
This is contained in the Counter Subversion Bill 2024 before the House.
The bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, is awaiting the second reading, during which the general principles will be debated.
Similarly, the bill states that any person who destroys national symbols, refuses to recite the national anthem and pledge, defaces a place of worship with the intent to cause violence and subverts the Federal Government shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of N5 million or 10-year imprisonment or both.
According to the bill, any person who mounts an illegal roadblock, engages in illegal road traffic function, imposes illegal curfew, conducts illegal procession, shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of N2 million or five-year jail term or both.
Furthermore, the bill prescribes a fine of N4 million or two years imprisonment for a person convicted for castigating, denigrating, embarrassing or bringing to disrepute the leadership of a community, religion, lawful group, local government, state or federal government.
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Also, sections 2,5,6 and 10 of the proposed legislation state, “A person who engages in activities that results in mutual suspicion, mistrust, distrust or intolerance which degenerates into conflict and violence that threatens the corporate existence, peace and security of the federation of Nigeria 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 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.”
Also, sections 12, 13 , 14 , 15, 17 and 20 of the bill provide that “every person, group or organisation that engages in activities that undermines national security, harmonious community interaction, peaceful coexistence and the maintenance of law and order commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N3 million or imprisonment for a term of five years or both.
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“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.”
Updated: Reps propose long imprisonment for separatists, national symbol destroyers
News
Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name
Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has directed the immediate freezing of all state-owned bank accounts.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor stated that the accounts would remain frozen until further notice.
He instructed commercial banks, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to comply with the order immediately or face severe consequences.
The statement reads: “All state bank accounts with commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with this order and ensure that not a single naira is withdrawn from government coffers until further notice.
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“Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies must ensure full compliance without delay.
“Following necessary investigations and reconciliations, the governor will take appropriate action and decide on the way forward. For now, this order remains in effect.”
Okpebholo also directed relevant agencies to revert the name of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to its previous title, the Ministry of Works, a change made during the Godwin Obaseki administration.
“It is odd to name a government institution the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, especially when not a single bridge was built by the previous administration — not even a pedestrian bridge.
“In the coming days, we will examine further actions taken by the previous administration and make decisions that serve the best interests of the state,” the statement added.
Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name
News
Israel-Palestinian conflict: Two-state solution is a deception, says Gumi
Israel-Palestinian conflict: Two-state solution is a deception, says Gumi
Prominent Islamic scholar Dr. Ahmad Mahmud Gumi has criticized the widely discussed two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict, calling it a “deception.”
His remarks followed a recent summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Riyadh, where President Bola Tinubu and other leaders condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and urged an end to hostilities.
In an interview with Daily Trust at his Kaduna residence, Gumi argued, “This Two-State Solution is a deception. No Israeli will allow a Palestinian to survive, and Palestinians will never allow Israel to survive.
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The only solution is to dissolve the two states and create a democratically electable region.”
Gumi commended the OIC’s support for Palestine, noting that Muslims and Arabs worldwide increasingly see the treatment of Palestinians as “genocide” and accuse Israel of human rights abuses.
He also called for a return to the pre-1948 structure, where Palestinians, Jews, and Christians lived together, suggesting a single, inclusive state that allows peaceful coexistence.
“When I hear people talking about Two-State Solutions, I know they are just deceiving themselves,” Gumi added, advocating for a unified region where people of all faiths can live together, similar to the multi-faith coexistence seen in countries like the United States.
Israel-Palestinian conflict: Two-state solution is a deception, says Gumi
News
Court sacks Ondo LP candidate, two days to governorship poll
Court sacks Ondo LP candidate, two days to governorship poll
The Labour Party candidature of Olusola Ebiseni for the upcoming gubernatorial election in Ondo State has been nullified.
The nullification follows the sacking of Ebiseni by the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday.
The governorship election of the southwest State will hold on Saturday, 16 November 2024.
The judgement disqualifying Ebiseni was unanimously delivered by the three members of the panel and read out by the chairman of the panel, Justice Adebukola Banjoko.
The judgment granted the prayer of the Labour Party who preferred the case against Ebiseni.
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Justice Banjoko held that, “the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024 brought by the Labour Party against Chief Olusola Ebiseni and two others is allowed.”
Justice Banjoko further stated that the Certified True Copy of the judgment would be provided to the parties involved in the appeal as soon as possible for their review.
Recall that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to accept and recognize Olusola Ebiseni and Ezekiel Awude as the Labour Party’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the November 16 Ondo State governorship elections.
Justice Nwite confirmed that the second primary election conducted by the Labour Party, which resulted in Ebiseni and Awude being selected as candidates, was valid and should be upheld by INEC.
However, the appellate court has now overturned the judgment of the trial court’s judgment.
Court sacks Ondo LP candidate, two days to governorship poll
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