The Counter Subversion Bill 2024, which seeks to punish Nigerians for not reciting the national anthem, was introduced by the House of Representatives.
Anyone found guilty of refusing to recite the national anthem could face a 10-year prison sentence, a N5 million fine, or both, according to the proposed legislation.
The same penalties apply to anyone who defaces a place of worship or a national symbol.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas is the bill’s sponsor. The general concepts of the bill will be discussed during its second reading.
The legislation “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 legislation additionally “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”.
Furthermore, anyone 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” .
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