President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday
formally approved the proscription of Boko Haram and authorised the gazetting
of an order declaring the group’s activities acts of terrorism.
formally approved the proscription of Boko Haram and authorised the gazetting
of an order declaring the group’s activities acts of terrorism.
Under the new dispensation, any person
who solicits or renders support to the activities of terrorism or publish
pro-terror material risks spending 20 years in jail .
who solicits or renders support to the activities of terrorism or publish
pro-terror material risks spending 20 years in jail .
Special adviser to the president on
media and publicity Dr Reuben Abati in a statement noted that “the order which
has been gazetted as the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice
2013 affects both Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and
another group – Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan”.
media and publicity Dr Reuben Abati in a statement noted that “the order which
has been gazetted as the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice
2013 affects both Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and
another group – Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan”.
Abati said the order “was approved by
President Jonathan pursuant to section 2 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011
(as Amended).
President Jonathan pursuant to section 2 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011
(as Amended).
“It officially brings the activities of
both groups within the purview of the Terrorism Prevention Act and any persons
associated with the two groups can now be legally prosecuted and sentenced to
penalties specified in the Act,” he added.
both groups within the purview of the Terrorism Prevention Act and any persons
associated with the two groups can now be legally prosecuted and sentenced to
penalties specified in the Act,” he added.
The proscription order, Abati further
noted, warns the general public that any person “participating in any form of
activities involving or concerning the collective intentions of the said groups
will be violating the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act”.
noted, warns the general public that any person “participating in any form of
activities involving or concerning the collective intentions of the said groups
will be violating the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act”.
“Section 5 (1) of the act prescribes a
term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years for any person who knowingly, in
any manner, directly or indirectly, solicits or renders support for the
commission of an act of terrorism or to a terrorist group,” the statement made
available to LEADERSHIP yesterday night noted.
term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years for any person who knowingly, in
any manner, directly or indirectly, solicits or renders support for the
commission of an act of terrorism or to a terrorist group,” the statement made
available to LEADERSHIP yesterday night noted.
Clarifying the purposes of subsection
(1), which makes supporters of the terrorist groups culpable, Abati listed
“support” in the Act to include: “(a) incitement to commit a terrorist act
through the internet, or any electronic means or through the use of printed
materials or through the dissemination of terrorist information;
(1), which makes supporters of the terrorist groups culpable, Abati listed
“support” in the Act to include: “(a) incitement to commit a terrorist act
through the internet, or any electronic means or through the use of printed
materials or through the dissemination of terrorist information;
“(b) receipt or provision of material
assistance, weapons including biological, chemical or nuclear weapons,
explosives, training, transportation, false documentation or identification to
terrorists or terrorist groups; (c) receipt or provision of information or
moral assistance, including invitation to adhere to a terrorist or terrorist
group;
assistance, weapons including biological, chemical or nuclear weapons,
explosives, training, transportation, false documentation or identification to
terrorists or terrorist groups; (c) receipt or provision of information or
moral assistance, including invitation to adhere to a terrorist or terrorist
group;
“(d) entering or remaining in a country
for the benefit of, or at the direction of or in association with a terrorist
group; or(e) the provision of, or making available, such financial or other
related services prohibited under this Act or as may be prescribed by
regulations made pursuant to this Act”.
for the benefit of, or at the direction of or in association with a terrorist
group; or(e) the provision of, or making available, such financial or other
related services prohibited under this Act or as may be prescribed by
regulations made pursuant to this Act”.
Source: Leadership
