From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said that the parliament is open to robust discussion on the Counter Subversion Bill.
Abbas, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, on Wednesday, said the proposed legislation fails within the country’s anti-terrorism framework. And seeks to address subversive activities by bandits, militias and other proscribed groups.
The bill, which was exclusively reported by Daily Sun, on Tuesday, prescribes 25-year imprisonment or N10 million fine, or both, for any person convicted for making statements or taking an action that leads to separatist agitation or inter-group or sectional conflict in the country.
According to the proposed legislation, any person who mounts an illegal roadblock, engages in illegal road traffic function, imposition of illegal curfew, conduct of illegal procession, shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of N2 million or five years 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 amongst others.
Nevertheless, the speaker noted that “similar legislation obtains in other climes with varied appellations. Such countries include the United Kingdom, Spain, India, Turkey, Canada, and Australia, among others.’
He added that in line with “parliamentary processes and procedures, the Bill would have to be listed for Second Reading, where Members will thoroughly scrutinize its merits and demerits during debate.
“At this stage, Members can decide to ‘kill’ or allow the Bill to pass. But if it scales Second Reading, it would be referred to the relevant Committee of the House for further legislative action.
“The Committee must as a matter of responsibility invite the Nigerian public, particularly relevant stakeholders, to a public hearing on the Bill. It is expected that citizens would bear their minds either physically or via memoranda on the Bill.
“Their input would form the basis for the Committee’s report, to be laid on the floor of the House.”
