Audio By Carbonatix
Nigerian lawmakers are considering a bill that would impose punishments of up to 10 years in jail for actions deemed subversive, a move that critics see as an attempt to crack down on dissent following a wave of anti-government protests.
The proposed Counter Subversion Bill, currently in its early stages of the debate, introduces a 10-year jail term for refusal to recite the national anthem, a five-year jail term for erecting an "illegal roadblock", and a three-year sentence for "disobeying constituted authority".
It comes in the wake of nationwide protests against economic reforms that have escalated a cost of living crisis. They ended abruptly following a deadly police response that resulted in at least 23 deaths.
Critics see the proposed law as an attempt by the government to suppress dissent and limit public demonstrations.
The bill is sponsored by Abbas Tajudeen, speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives, the lower arm of parliament. It now moves to the floor for a second reading, marking a significant step in Nigeria's legislative process.
Latest Stories
-
Is the IMF Complicit in Bank of Ghana’s Massive 2025 Losses? – IERPP
2 hours -
Scaling Together: Prudential Bank MD’s advice on fintech‑bank partnerships in Africa
2 hours -
Joe Mettle inspires hope with new song ‘This Year’
2 hours -
Antisemitism ‘allowed to come into the open’ says Bondi victim’s daughter
3 hours -
What Is Wrong with Us? Why do we Reject Colonialism yet Cling to its Titles?
3 hours -
World Bank pushes regional health strategy to close financing gaps in West and Central Africa
3 hours -
Britney Spears pleads guilty to reckless driving after arrest
3 hours -
Parentage, not paternity: Ghana’s proposed compulsory paternity testing bill sparks fears of discrimination against mothers
3 hours -
Samsung family pays off record $8bn inheritance tax bill
3 hours -
Spain seizes record amount of cocaine in Atlantic Ocean, authorities say
3 hours -
Two killed and many injured after car driven into crowd in German city of Leipzig
4 hours -
KiDi drops ‘Signature’ with Lasmid ahead of album release
4 hours -
UAE accuses Iran of renewed drone and missile attacks
4 hours -
Giuliani recovering from pneumonia and ‘now breathing on his own’
4 hours -
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni settle lawsuit over It Ends With Us film
4 hours