Weeks after he declared a state of emergency in three states
to combat Boko Haram, and one year after he originally said he would defeat the
group, Goodluck Jonathan has formally pinned the tag of terrorism on it.
A State House press statement
said Mr. Jonathan has approved the proscription of the group and authorized the
gazetting of an order declaring its activities illegal and acts of terrorism.
The order, issued pursuant to
Section 2 0f the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011, as amended, comes one day
after the United States
announced a $7 million bounty on Boko Haram leader Ibrahim Shekau.
Gazetted as the Terrorism
(Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013, it affects Boko Haram (Jamaatu
Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) as well as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina
Fi Biladis Sudan .
“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,” the statement said.
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 pointed out that
under the Act, such "support" includes -
(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;
(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.
Source: Sahara reporters
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