Reps Speaker Sponsors Bill, Seeks N4m Fine, Imprisonment For Nigerian Who Engage In Actions Deemed Demeaning Or Embarrassing To Public Officials.

According to a bill sponsored by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nigerians risk a jail term of up to two years or a fine of N4 million for any action considered to demean or embarrass a public official.

Mr Tajudeen’s bill, titled the Counter Subversive Bill, includes some draconian provisions that experts believe could further stifle civic space and other democratic actors.

The speaker asserts that the bill falls within Nigeria’s anti-terrorism framework and aims to address subversive activities by associations, organisations, militias, cults, bandits, and other proscribed groups in Nigeria.

However, many clauses could be extended to any group, although the proposal may be amended during the committee stage or rejected.

“A person who castigates, instigates, persuades, denigrates, embarrasses or brings into disrepute the leadership of a community, religion, lawful group, local government, State or Federal Government of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N4,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of two years or both,” clause 18 of Mr Tajudeen’s legislation reads.

Additionally, clause 13 of the bill prescribes a three-year jail term or a N5 million fine for “disrespecting” constituted authorities, subject to conviction by the court.

“A person, group or organisation that persistently disregards, disobeys, or disrespects constituted authority, rules, regulations, orders or contravenes the law willfully, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 3 years for a first offence and seven years for a subsequent offence, or to a fine of N5,000,000 or both,” clause 13 reads.

This is the latest in a series of moves by successive governments to regulate the civic space through legislation.

Civil society organisations and the media have opposed similar legislation such as the NGO Bill, Hate Speech Bill, Fake News Bill, and others for years.

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