Section 39(1) of Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states:

     Every person shall be entitled to freedom of    expression, including freedom to hold opinions and  to   receive and impart ideas and information without   interference.

This right to freedom of expression is at risk with the proposed Bill of the Executive reportedly sent to the National Assembly. In the interest of eternal vigilance, this is part of what was reported in the Vanguard Online:

“ABUJA— PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo has forwarded an anti-terrorism bill to the National Assembly which provides, among other things, stringent sanctions  for the dissemination of true or false information that may intimidate the government or persons. The bill entitled Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2006 also provides stringent sanctions for activities such as kidnapping of oil workers and damages to installations of companies operating in the country’s off shore waters.”

Read it at http://odili.net/news/source/2006/aug/1/302.html

Raison d’etre: Niger Delta

While any sane person would agree with the Federal government that terrorism of any kind is abhorrent and stands as an anti-thesis to a democracy, draconian laws reminiscent of the strong-arm military tactics of yesteryears simply would not fly this time. The president is famed to have a plethora of attorneys on hand; they all missed it with this reported Bill. Any constitutional challenge would throw it to the litter-can where it truly belongs.

We reiterate that while we condemn the practice of kidnapping or destroying of oil installations; entering private property to stop legitimate business; as well as taking innocent workers hostage is despicable and should be stopped. However, the Niger Delta requires a multi-pronged approach to conflict prevention and resolution and not saber-rattling.

Of particular concern of the proposed Bill is section 2 which Vanguard summarizes as follows:

Section 2 of the bill which defines terrorist activities includes actions taken to unduly compel government or international organisations to perform or abstain from  performing any act. The definition of terrorism also includes actions that may seriously destabilise or destroy the fundamental, political, constitutional, economic or social structures of a country or an international organisation.

The question is; what international organizations is the Federal Government of Nigeria beholden to that it would seek to criminalize its citizens for? If the organizations are corporate citizens, must there be a separate law for the corporations that put them on the same pedestal as the government of Nigeria? Do the nations where these international organizations are headquartered treat them different from their citizens? What is the reasoning behind such asinine kow-towing to vested foreign interests? This, from one who is ready to die for Nigeria?

To illustrate

For instance, if I write a true story about “slush” funds given by some ungodly inhumane, international organizations acting in concert  against Nigeria to their corrupt Nigerian government official collaborators in stealing the future of the Nigerian people, I will be offending this Bill. This is also regardless of whether the information is “true or false”. Decree 4 all over again?

My Final Question is, did the Attorney General, the SAN, the former NBA President, the Defender of the Constitution draft this Bill?

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 02.08.2006 01:59

VOR  Villager

# 2 ABUJA— PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo has forwarded an anti-terrorism bill to the National Assembly which provides, among other things, stringent sanctions for the dissemination of true or false information that may intimidate the government or persons. The bill entitled Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2006 also provides stringent sanctions for activities such as kidnapping of oil workers and damages to installations of companies operating in the country’s off shore waters.” I suspected it was coming but didn't know it will come this soon! Its now time to turn Nigerians into terrorists. People fighting for their homes, their lives, their health their future against giant multinationals polluting their lands are now terrorists? Wonderful, only desperate greedy people bereft of any form of human decency will come out with such nonsense. What happened to negotiating (and I mean genuine negotiations) to get to the root of the problem and finding an equitable solution? What happened to the FGN actually making these large multi nationals pay for the damage they do to these towns and villages. What happened to making them accountable, making them adhere to court judgments (anyway this government is not a good example on adhering to court judgments) must the FGN use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Are these people not part and parcel of Nigeria? Are they less worthy than the foreigners that destroy their lands, lifestyle future for profit? These same foreigners shout to the high heavens about environmental pollution and damage and encourage their citizenry to be more environmentally friendly whilst they run riot and reek havoc in my country and to help them further in doing this, my president, my government decides to draft a law which classifies my fellow countrymen and women that decide to take on these multinationals as TERRORISTS!! Unbelievable!!! What Obj and his bunch of bandits have shown with this new bill they hope to have passed is that we are not as important as foreigners. He can afford to kill 10,000 Nigerians for 1 oyinbo life. Our lives are worth Jack to him. Never mind the pollution and exploitation of these foreigners on our people (I was just reading Sowore’s piece on the Leon Sullivan Summit and Uche’s article on Sister’s behaving badly) these foreigners are obj’s gods that must be respected and obeyed! Whilst they are at it, why don’t they call it as it is and draft a new law stating that Nigerians are subordinate to the white man in their own land………? at least then we will know where our government place the citizenry. My Final Question is, did the Attorney General, the SAN, the former NBA President, the Defende of the Constitution draft this Bill?Who else would have drafted the bill? The man is a disgrace to the profession, a lackey - obj’s boy- boy. among other things, stringent sanctions for the dissemination of true or false information that may intimidate the government or persons Oga Ula-lisa, when the government saw the furore the "sedition" charge brought up they had to do something about it, they had to draft a new law that they could use to stifle opposition and kick Nigerians into place! Do you think we are free? no sir! We are not, we are still under a military regime dressed up in civilian clothing, so there will be more decrees (bills) to come. In the determination of this government to hang on to power post 2007 elections, they will do anything to keep baba at Aso Rock or install a stooge. This is just the beginning. It’s now left to see if the NASS will pass this bill. Posted by VOR| 02.08.2006 08:01

Exxcuzme  Villager

# 3 I hope those commending the National Assembly for defeating the TTA will put pressure on thesame body to defeat this bill as well. Posted by Exxcuzme| 02.08.2006 17:12

Nonyellum  Villager

# 4 Thanks for this update. I will be e-mailing as many lawmakers as I can from Delta State and beyond NOT to support this stupid bill. That OBJoke of a man is one big mumu slave to oyinbos. What foolishness. He can try all he wants, he can never kill the spirit until equity, justice and fairplay are instituted, and my Niger Delta brothers/sisters get their just dues. People, please e-mail your Senators, Reps, to KILL this insulting bill. THANK YOU. Posted by Nonyellum| 07.08.2006 23:20

No Smoking  Villager

# 5 Let's hope the generation of Generals-in-politics will soon get tired of wanting to rule Nigeria. This new bill smacks of old Decrees 2 & 4, re-cycled.. :mad: Posted by No Smoking| 08.08.2006 18:10