The House of Representatives has introduced the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, proposing severe penalties for Nigerians who refuse to recite the national anthem.
Under this bill, individuals convicted of such an offense could face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.
The same penalties apply to anyone found guilty of destroying a national symbol or a place of worship.
Sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the bill is scheduled for its second reading, where its core 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 also added among others.
In May, Bola Tinubu enacted a law restoring Nigeria’s original national anthem, which had been replaced by a military government in 1978.
The reinstated anthem, starting with “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda.
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