Aisha Yesufu Faces 10-Year Prison Term…If

Popular activist and similarly inclined critics of the reintroduction of the old national anthem face 10-year prison sentences should they publicly disregard the ‘Nigeria we hail thee’ chorus.

The stiff sanction which includes a N5m fine is part of a bill styled as the “Counter Subversion Bill 2024,” just introduced into the House of Representatives.

According to the proposed legislation, anyone found guilty of refusing to recite the national anthem shall be fined N5m, face a 10-year prison sentence, or both..

Anyone who destroys a national symbol or a place of worship shall be liable to the same punishment.

GWG.ng reports that the Bill, sponsored by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 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 house of representatives added in the bill, “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.

GWG.ng recalls that in May, President Bola Tinubu signed into law the bill to revert to Nigeria’s old national anthem which was dropped by a military government in 1978.

The newly re-adopted anthem, which begins “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda.

GEG.ng further reports that the reintroduction of the old national anthem raised controversy with some like rights activist sitting down when it was played in public.

Aisha Yesufu who was a firm critic of the reintroduction has, however, not responded to the latest development.

Source: Sahara Reporters

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