Prison sentence for freedom of expression in Nigeria

Or… you can call it my “Sunday post” instead.

In the last few days, some disturbing news has emerged that has given me food for thought.

One of them was from Economic elites Africaalthough there were many on one topic.

In Nigeria, President Tinubu appears to have started the process of passing a bizarre new law.

The bill would impose a ten-year prison sentence and a five million naira fine for anyone who refuses to sing the national anthem.

This is a bit strange in itself, as the original national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was replaced a long time ago. The lyrics were written by Lilian Jean Williams and the music was composed by Frances Brenda in 1959. The anthem was first used at independence in 1960 and remained in use until 1978.

Then it was replaced by “Rise, O countrymen.”

“Nigeria, we salute you” was then reinstated on May 29, 2024, without any compelling reason beyond chronic unemployment, terrorism and banditry, intermittent electricity shortages, shortages of food and fuel, or a currency in free fall against foreign currencies in an import-driven economy.

Most of those alive today do not know “Nigeria, we greet you” and are too busy surviving from day to day to make the effort to get to know it any time soon.

For some strange reason it reminds me vaguely of Irish rugby.

When Ireland plays, some sing “Amhrán na bhFiann” (“The Soldier's Song” in English) while others sing “Ireland's Call.” Some look uneasily up at the sky, wishing it would all be over soon, while others stare at their shoes with their heads bowed, mumbling incoherently through both parts.

However, no one here is threatening you with a prison sentence and everyday survival is not a game of rugby.

However, this is not my main concern.

What worries me is that the bill also provides for a two-year prison sentence for anyone who insults Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

What exactly is an insult?

Someone might yell mischievously at someone in public, claiming that they have a car that is too small. The target might claim to be insulted because they believe this implies that they are not financially strong enough to afford a larger car.

In contrast, someone might yell mischievously at someone in public, claiming that they have a car that is too BIG. The target might JUST as well claim to be offended because they believe this implies that they lack the social intelligence to consider environmental concerns, and they object to being seen in a smaller car for selfish reasons.

So we could easily end up in a situation where this law gives absurdly wide latitude to claiming RECOMMENDED insult in order to criminalise a completely innocent person, group of people or organisation.

This sounds like an open license to declare someone a criminal based solely on the subjective idea of ​​“feeling” offended.

Many schools of thought consider such an article dangerously political. The question is, can expressing disregard for a law that tramples on human rights be considered POLITICAL?

I am not calling on the man, I am calling on the measure.

We are entering dangerous territory here because many people in the political opposition, in peer groups, pressure groups, special interest groups and various types of human rights activists and lobby groups are being pushed onto the defensive and are afraid to simply go about their normal, everyday work.

The situation also reminds me of a speech by actor Rowan Atkinson (best known for his comic character “Mr. Bean”), introduced here by Nicky Verd.

“The obvious problem with the ban on insults is that too many things can be construed as such. Criticism is easily interpreted as insult by some parties… Mockery is easily interpreted as insult… Sarcasm, unfavourable comparisons… Simply presenting an alternative viewpoint to orthodoxy can be interpreted as insult… One might call it the 'NEW INTOLERANCE'… A new but intense desire to silence unpleasant voices of dissent.”

This dynamic is reinforced when they move away from general application and are written around the “office of the President.”

Is democracy itself under attack?

Towards the end of the week, numerous reports appeared on Nigerian news websites and on LinkedIn:

“In a healthy democracy, political leaders must be exposed to a range of perspectives, including critical ones, in order to make informed decisions.” – Article by The Daily Courier NG.

“CJID, Citizens' Gavel, HRJN, journalists and others call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently address the incessant and unjustified attacks on journalists in Nigeria” – Kehinde Adegboyega – Co-founder and Executive Director, Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria.

So I decided to make my “Last Waltz” with a pictorial satire as the cover while I can still do it legally. without being thrown into Kiri Kiri.