A bill that was brought before the house of representatives on Thursday to jail protesters for five years has reportedly passed the first reading.


The Bill entitled: ‘An Act To Amend The Criminal Code ACT, CAP 38, Laws Of The Federation Of Nigeria, 2004 To Further Preserve The Sanctity Of Human Life And Property, And To Provide Specifically For Mob Action, Prescribe Punishment And Other Matters’, is sponsored by Rep. Emeka Chinedu Martins (PDP-Imo).


According to Sahara Reporter, the Bill has been approved by the House for a second reading.



The provisions of the proposed Act, are as follows:



(1) The provisions of the Criminal Code Act, (in this Bill referred to as the “Principal Act”) is amended as set out in this Bill (2) Substitute for section 69 of the Principal Act, a new section 69.



“Definitions: Unlawful assembly, Riot, Mob action (a) When three or more persons, with intent to carry out some common purpose, assemble in such a manner or, being assembled, conduct themselves in such a manner as to cause persons in the neighbourhood to fear on reasonable grounds that the persons so assembled will tumultuously disturb the peace, or will by such assembly needlessly and without any reasonable occasion provoke other persons tumultuously to disturb the peace, they are an unlawful assembly. It is immaterial that the original assembling was lawful if, being assembled; they conduct themselves with a common purpose in such a manner as aforesaid”.



It also states that, “An assembly of three or more persons who assemble for the purpose of protecting any house against persons threatening to break and enter the house in order to commit a felony or misdemeanour therein is not an unlawful assembly.



“(c) When an unlawful assembly has begun to act in so tumultuous a manner as to disturb the peace, the assembly is called a riot, and the persons assembled are said to be riotously assembled.



“(d) When an unlawful assembly becomes violent as to commit unlawful acts against any person or property, the assembly is called a mob and their violent act is referred to as mob action”.



It adds that “(a) Any person who takes part in a riot is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.



“(b) Any person who takes part in a mob action is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for five years.



(4) Substitute for Section 76 of the Principal Act, a new section 76:
(a) Section 76. Mob action against any person or property.



“Any persons who assembled together as a mob to commit violent act against any person or property are guilty of a felony and each of them is liable to imprisonment for life”.



The Bill explains that it “seeks to amend the Criminal Code Act, Cap 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to further preserve the sanctity of human life and property, and to provide specifically for the crime of mob action, prescribe punishment and other matters connected therewith”.



The sponsor of the piece of legislation against unlawful protesters, in his lead debate, said: “Mr Speaker, my highly respected colleagues, permit me to lead the debate on this very important Bill titled the Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill, 2021.


“This Bill was read for the first time in this Hallowed Chamber. Mr. Speaker, my honourable colleagues, this Bill seeks to amend the Criminal Code Act Cap 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to provide specifically for the crime of mob action, prescribe punishment and for other related matters.



“Mr Speaker, every now and then we hear and read in the news of mobs moving against people and properties.



“The word “mob” connotes a disorderly crowd of people, intent on causing trouble or violence. It is usually triggered spontaneously by accusations of a bystander, then joined by another and then another till it turns into a crowd of vengeful people causing carnage and destruction on its path.



“The danger with mob action is that participants typically believe they are punishing an accused for violation of the law, when in fact they are delivering jungle justice to an accused who may be totally innocent and has not been given an opportunity to be fairly heard. They serve as accusers, judges, and executors.



“Most participants in mob actions are usually not informed first-hand about the situation before joining the destructive crowd in blind rage to carry out their orgy of violence.



“There have been records of crowds inflicting fatal injuries on their targets and destroying and looting properties based on unfounded accusations of theft of an item, allegations of missing genitals, witchcraft and blasphemy.



“As quickly as the mob causes carnage, the participants disperse in all directions, making it difficult for them to be apprehended.



“A notable case is that of the Aluu Four in 2012, involving four male students from the University of Port Harcourt who went to recover a debt, but were set up and accused of theft leading to their gruesome murder by a mob in Aluu, Rivers State.


“More recently in 2016, a man accused of homosexuality was beaten to death in Ondo State. Another man was also lynched in Ebonyi State, over accusations of theft of motorcycle. There have also been records of similar incidents this year.


“The failure of our law enforcement agents to prevent mob justice or punish those who participate in it has lent an air of acceptability to this vile practice. How often people resort to jungle justice as a form of punishment to alleged offenders is also a testament to the fact that people have lost faith in the criminal justice system. Ever too often the participants in mob actions go unpunished.


“The Criminal Code Act in section 69 defines riot as when an unlawful assembly turns tumultuous as to disturb the peace, but did not provide for when the unlawful assembly turns violent against persons and property.



“This amendment to the Bill seeks to remedy that by providing for specific amendments to sections 69, 71, and 76 of the Criminal Code Act dealing with mob action and further prescribing punishment for the crime.



“The amendment to the Act will encourage our law enforcement agencies to go after persons involved in mob action and give impetus to the criminal justice system to bring such offenders to book.



“If more participants in mob action are apprehended and publicly prosecuted it will serve as a deterrent to others.



“I therefore humbly urge you to support the second reading of this Bill and its legislative proposal”.

https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2021/7/new-bill-to-jail-protesters-for-5-years-passes-first-reading-in-house-of-reps.html

That should be taken as a joke

Awesome! fcking Simians using democracy and freedoms of speech to bring anarchy

Lol....and they use an Igbo man to pass the joke. My Igbo brothers wetin Una go do for this one like this?

Very very lazy blogger I'm not even sure if some of this bloggers read what they are posting on their website before giving it title.

This bill actually seeking end for jungle justice.

Tinubuadvocate:
Very very lazy blogger I'm not even sure if some of this bloggers read what they are posting on their website before giving it title.

This bill actually seeking end for jungle justice.

Bro, the news made FP late yesterday.. Even though Linda is known for gossiping but the news seem true.

The sponsor of the piece of legislation against unlawful protesters, in his lead debate, said: “Mr Speaker, my highly respected colleagues, permit me to lead the debate on this very important Bill titled the Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill, 2021

.

KillMNKnow:
Awesome

It will be awesome na. You are always on the side of tyranny and injustice. There is no way anyone can criminalise protests, rallies etc in democratical settings. Else that is no longer democracy and all the political office holders including the president himself will be illegitimate occupiers.

yorubarere:
Lol....and they use an Igbo man to pass the joke. My Igbo brothers wetin Una go do for this one like this?

KillMNKnow:
Awesome

Monogamy:
That should be taken as a joke

learn how to read before commenting this nonsense is really common among you guys on here.

Atiwaye:
learn how to read before commenting this nonsense is really common among you guys on here.

No, I doubt you read the the epistle..

The sponsor of the piece of legislation against unlawful protesters, in his lead debate, said: “Mr Speaker, my highly respected colleagues, permit me to lead the debate on this very important Bill titled the Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill, 2021.

Who is going to determine the lawful protesters from unlawful protesters?

Tinubuadvocate:
Very very lazy blogger I'm not even sure if some of this bloggers read what they are posting on their website before giving it title.

This bill actually seeking end for jungle justice.

If it is seeking an end to jungle justices it should have spelt it out not vague wordings that can interpret to a lot of things. The sponsor of that bill is devilishly hiding behind the word ambiguities he used in the bill to confuse people as to his major aims. But sensible Nigerians can see through it.

It will make front page because moderators dont care about the content all they care for his money. Read the content you will understand the bill .

Monogamy:


Bro, the news made FP late yesterday.. Even though Linda is known for gossiping but the news seem true.

.

Monogamy:


No, I doubt you read the the epistle..



Who is going to determine the real protesters from unlawful protesters?

The govt want to make sure everyone is quiet. They will only allow govt sponsored rallies or counter protests. And we said we are in a democratic regime.

Tinubuadvocate:
It will make front page because moderators dont care about the content all they care for his money. Read the content you will understand the bill .

I doubt you read the post

Atiwaye:
learn how to read before commenting this nonsense is really common among you guys on here.

You are the one who skipped the reading part to comment.

Imagine that

The bill only seeking an end for jungle justice nothing much I watched the man when he was deliver the message in the house. You know how our bloggers twisting word in order to gain the attention of readers.

yorubarere:

If it is seeking an end to jungle justices it should have spelt it out not vague wordings that can interpret to a lot of things. The sponsor of that bill is devilishly hiding behind the word ambiguities he used in the bill to confuse people as to his major aims. But sensible Nigerians can see through it.

Tinubuadvocate:
It will make front page because moderators dont care about the content all they care for his money. Read the content you will understand the bill .

The sponsor of the piece of legislation against unlawful protesters, in his lead debate, said: “Mr Speaker, my highly respected colleagues, permit me to lead the debate on this very important Bill titled the Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill, 2021.

Should incase you missed that.. Please who is going to determine lawful protesters from unlawful protesters?

yorubarere:

The govt want to make sure everyone is quiet. They will only allow govt sponsored rallies or counter protests. And we said we are in a democratic regime.

It simply means all the anti protest against this government would be termed as unlawful protest.. That's logical.

And to say a Southerner presented this bill is just one of the ridiculous bills I ever came across

PRESS RELEASE

RE: PDP Rep Member Present Bill Seeking To Jail Protesters.

The office of the member representing the good people of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency in the green Chamber of the national Assembly, Hon. Emeka Martins Chinedu, has been inundated with calls and messages over a misconception gone viral.


(1) The caption of the Bill that went viral was never the intent or opinion of the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal lawmaker; neither was it an embodiment of the Bill he sponsored that passed first reading on the floor of the National Assembly on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, hence, a clear case of misunderstanding, misconception and misrepresentation of facts.


(2) Hon. Emeka Chinedu as a representative of the people, whose Political idealogy is rooted in democratic tenets can never be a party to a system that seeks to stifle or cripple dissenting voices whose right to freedom of Assembly and protest is guaranteed by the combined effort of section 39 and 40 of 1999 Constitution as amended, as well as Article 11 of the African Charter on human and People's Right to freely Assemble.


(3) While we urge Nigerians to imbibe the culture of reading beyond Newspaper caption in order to comprehend the body of a message, it is imperative to put the record straight, in order to douse tension and allay the concerns of our teeming adherents.

(4) The Criminal Code Amendment Bill, 2021, did not talk about criminalizing protest or Protesters in Nigeria, rather, it is a Bill that proactively seeks to preserve the sanctity of human life and property and provide specifically for mob action, known as "jungle justice" in our local parlance.

(5) In the lead debate that is coming up at the second reading, Hon. Emeka Chinedu's argument is that " now and then we hear and read in the News about mobs moving against people and properties". And that "the word ",mob" connotes a disorderly People, intent on causing trouble or violence".

(6) He is laying emphasis that: "Mob actions are usually trigged spontaneously by accusations of a bystander, then joined by another, till it turns to a crowed of vengeful carnage and destruction on its path".

(7) And that "the danger with mob actions is that participants typically believe they are punishing an accused for violation of the law, when in reality they are delving into jungle justice to the accused who may be totally innocent, and has not been given an opportunity to be fairly heard." Consequently, He asserts that "they become accusers, judges and executors".

( He also added that "most participants in Mob actions are usually not informed first-hand about the situation before joining the destructive crowed in blind rage to carry out their orgy of violence", consequent upon which he cited the "Aluu Four" as "a notable example, wherein in 2012, four male students of the University of Port Harcourt who went on debt recovery, were set-up by the debtors, who accused them of theft, leading to their gruesome murder through mob action."

(9) He further, cited "a case in 2016, where a man accused of homosexual in Ondo State was beaten to death", while another "was lynched in Ebonyi State, over accusation of theft of Motorcycle".


(10) One therefore, wonders what Criminal Code Cap 38 of the Federation of Nigerian that talks about Mob Action and Riot, and the combined Section 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, that talks about fundamental Human Rights to Protest, have in common.

(11) And also, what the Aluu four of Chuba in Rivers State, he empirically referenced got to do with Labour, Political or other lawful Protest as the case maybe.

(12) It is deserving to state unequivocally that in all these, the Legislative Tactician never prescribed a penalty for offenders since the penalties were already enshrined, rather, he gave Mob action the definition that was not clearly captured ab initio, as well as queried the failure of law enforcement agents to prevent mob action (Jungle justice) or punish offenders according to the dictates of the law.

(13) While it is incomprehensible how a Bill against Jungle justice turned to criminalize lawful Protest in a democratic state like Nigeria, Hon. Emeka Martins Chinedu is by this clarification advising well-meaning Nigerians to disregard incoherently deceptive News; stating that: he is not only a product of justice and a man of the people, but a believer in democracy where rule of law is sacrosanct.


Nnamdi Ukasanya is SA(Media & Publicity) to Hon. Emeka Martins Chinedu.(MHR)

Fourtygees:
A bill that was brought before the house of representatives on Thursday to jail protesters for five years has reportedly passed the first reading.


The Bill entitled: ‘An Act To Amend The Criminal Code ACT, CAP 38, Laws Of The Federation Of Nigeria, 2004 To Further Preserve The Sanctity Of Human Life And Property, And To Provide Specifically For Mob Action, Prescribe Punishment And Other Matters’, is sponsored by Rep. Emeka Chinedu Martins (PDP-Imo).


According to Sahara Reporter, the Bill has been approved by the House for a second reading.



The provisions of the proposed Act, are as follows:



(1) The provisions of the Criminal Code Act, (in this Bill referred to as the “Principal Act”) is amended as set out in this Bill (2) Substitute for section 69 of the Principal Act, a new section 69.



“Definitions: Unlawful assembly, Riot, Mob action (a) When three or more persons, with intent to carry out some common purpose, assemble in such a manner or, being assembled, conduct themselves in such a manner as to cause persons in the neighbourhood to fear on reasonable grounds that the persons so assembled will tumultuously disturb the peace, or will by such assembly needlessly and without any reasonable occasion provoke other persons tumultuously to disturb the peace, they are an unlawful assembly. It is immaterial that the original assembling was lawful if, being assembled; they conduct themselves with a common purpose in such a manner as aforesaid”.



It also states that, “An assembly of three or more persons who assemble for the purpose of protecting any house against persons threatening to break and enter the house in order to commit a felony or misdemeanour therein is not an unlawful assembly.



“(c) When an unlawful assembly has begun to act in so tumultuous a manner as to disturb the peace, the assembly is called a riot, and the persons assembled are said to be riotously assembled.



“(d) When an unlawful assembly becomes violent as to commit unlawful acts against any person or property, the assembly is called a mob and their violent act is referred to as mob action”.



It adds that “(a) Any person who takes part in a riot is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.



“(b) Any person who takes part in a mob action is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for five years.



(4) Substitute for Section 76 of the Principal Act, a new section 76:
(a) Section 76. Mob action against any person or property.



“Any persons who assembled together as a mob to commit violent act against any person or property are guilty of a felony and each of them is liable to imprisonment for life”.



The Bill explains that it “seeks to amend the Criminal Code Act, Cap 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to further preserve the sanctity of human life and property, and to provide specifically for the crime of mob action, prescribe punishment and other matters connected therewith”.



The sponsor of the piece of legislation against unlawful protesters, in his lead debate, said: “Mr Speaker, my highly respected colleagues, permit me to lead the debate on this very important Bill titled the Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill, 2021.


“This Bill was read for the first time in this Hallowed Chamber. Mr. Speaker, my honourable colleagues, this Bill seeks to amend the Criminal Code Act Cap 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to provide specifically for the crime of mob action, prescribe punishment and for other related matters.



“Mr Speaker, every now and then we hear and read in the news of mobs moving against people and properties.



“The word “mob” connotes a disorderly crowd of people, intent on causing trouble or violence. It is usually triggered spontaneously by accusations of a bystander, then joined by another and then another till it turns into a crowd of vengeful people causing carnage and destruction on its path.



“The danger with mob action is that participants typically believe they are punishing an accused for violation of the law, when in fact they are delivering jungle justice to an accused who may be totally innocent and has not been given an opportunity to be fairly heard. They serve as accusers, judges, and executors.



“Most participants in mob actions are usually not informed first-hand about the situation before joining the destructive crowd in blind rage to carry out their orgy of violence.



“There have been records of crowds inflicting fatal injuries on their targets and destroying and looting properties based on unfounded accusations of theft of an item, allegations of missing genitals, witchcraft and blasphemy.



“As quickly as the mob causes carnage, the participants disperse in all directions, making it difficult for them to be apprehended.



“A notable case is that of the Aluu Four in 2012, involving four male students from the University of Port Harcourt who went to recover a debt, but were set up and accused of theft leading to their gruesome murder by a mob in Aluu, Rivers State.


“More recently in 2016, a man accused of homosexuality was beaten to death in Ondo State. Another man was also lynched in Ebonyi State, over accusations of theft of motorcycle. There have also been records of similar incidents this year.


“The failure of our law enforcement agents to prevent mob justice or punish those who participate in it has lent an air of acceptability to this vile practice. How often people resort to jungle justice as a form of punishment to alleged offenders is also a testament to the fact that people have lost faith in the criminal justice system. Ever too often the participants in mob actions go unpunished.


“The Criminal Code Act in section 69 defines riot as when an unlawful assembly turns tumultuous as to disturb the peace, but did not provide for when the unlawful assembly turns violent against persons and property.



“This amendment to the Bill seeks to remedy that by providing for specific amendments to sections 69, 71, and 76 of the Criminal Code Act dealing with mob action and further prescribing punishment for the crime.



“The amendment to the Act will encourage our law enforcement agencies to go after persons involved in mob action and give impetus to the criminal justice system to bring such offenders to book.



“If more participants in mob action are apprehended and publicly prosecuted it will serve as a deterrent to others.



“I therefore humbly urge you to support the second reading of this Bill and its legislative proposal”.

https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2021/7/new-bill-to-jail-protesters-for-5-years-passes-first-reading-in-house-of-reps.html

Monogamy:


It simply means all the anti protest against this government would be termed as unlawful protest.. That's logical.

And to say a Southerner presented this bill is just one of the ridiculous bills I ever came across

If na northerner do this thing now we will be calling them names. Whereas Hope is conniving with his imo lawmakers to punish the people of Nigerians for daring to challenge the govt to live up to its responsibilities. More sickening is the fact that the sponsor decided to hide behind mob action to pass the devilish bill by quoting aluu 4 incident to sweep up emotions.

yorubarere:
If na northerner do this thing now we will be calling them names. Where Hope is conniving with his imo lawmakers to punish the people of Nigerians for daring to challenge the govt to live up to its responsibilities. More sickening is the fact that the sponsor decided to hide behind mob action to pass the devilish bill by quoting aluu 4 incident to sweep up emotions.

Supporting the govt shouldn't mean we should be doing Yes sir Yes sir to their rubbish policies.

The guy presented 2 bills, one for unlawful protesters and the jungle justice bill.

The latter still make some sense but the former, haba, when we are not in Banana Republic.. That's DOA

When will they pass a bill to set death penalty for corruption

KillMNKnow:
Awesome! fcking Simians using democracy and freedoms of speech to bring anarchy

We all have the right to protest, the pic bellow was buhari protesting for his right

Monogamy:
That should be taken as a joke

E be like them no gree pay you this month.

No protesting, fine. We will just storm the National Assembly and kill every one of them, then go back to our houses. No big deal.