Former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili, has said that the House of Representatives should get ready to prosecute her whenever they pass their ‘obnoxious’ Counter Subversion Bill….READ FULL ARTICLE...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
There are reports that the lower chambers has introduced the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, which aims to impose stringent penalties on Nigerians who fail to recite the national anthem.
According to the proposed legislation, anyone found guilty of refusing to recite the national anthem shall be fined N5 million, or would face a 10-year prison sentence, or do both.
The bill also proposes that anyone who destroys a national symbol or a place of worship shall be liable to the same punishment. Sahara Reporters reports that the bill which is being sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, is set for its second reading, where its general principles will be debated.
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,” it added among others.
Reacting to the proposed bill on her X handle, Ezekwesili stated that the only National Anthem she will stand and recite is the old one and not the only one recently signed into law by President Tinubu. Her statement reads…READ FULL ARTICLE
