New Punishment for Political Violence.

New Punishment for Political Violence.  Daily Law Tips (Tip 783) by Onyekachi Umah, Esq., LL.M, ACIArb(UK)

Introduction: 

Proliferation of small arms and light weapons has been identified as a major catalyst of violence in Nigeria. Nigeria is estimated to have about 350,000,000 illicit and unregistered firearms, according to GunPolicy.org. There has really not been any general election in Nigeria without election violence since 1999. Human Rights Watch, cited the report by SBM Intelligence, and stated that; “… that 626 people were killed during the 2019 election cycle, starting with campaigns in 2018.” Hence, political violence is common in Nigeria. 

Political Violence: 

Political violence is any act or attempted act of violence perpetrated in the course of political activities, like elections. Violence itself is an act or attempted act that may cause any person; any physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, verbal or economic harm, whether it occurs in private (family setting) or public. So, political violence is the violence that occurred or attempted to occur in the course of politics. The acts and forms of political violence, include; thuggery, mugging, disruption of meetings/events and the use of dangerous weapons. 

Sanction for Political Violence:  

Like any other crime, there is a severe punishment for political violence. Political violence is punishable with not more than 4 years imprisonment or fine of N500,000.00 or both. Punishment for attempting such offence or assisting and aiding an offender is imprisonment for not more than 2 years or fine of #300,000.00 or both. This is according to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 and similar laws in states across Nigeria. 

Conclusion: 

Political violence is a major feature of politics, generally, in all parts of Nigeria. With too many illicit guns and very weak security institutions, Nigeria and Nigerians must wake up, else violence may consume the nation. No form of violence is permitted in the law books, from domestic violence to

political violence. While the regular criminal laws across states in Nigeria already provide for most forms of violence, the focus on political violence by law makers is commendable.

 My authorities, are:

1. Section 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999.
2. Sections 23, 47 and 48 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and similar laws across states in Nigeria.
3. Onyekachi Umah, “It Is An Offence To Give Gifts And Money For Election In Any Part Of Nigeria” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 21 February 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-273-it-is-an-offence-to-give-gifts-and-money-for-election-in-any-part-of-nigeria/> accessed 26 April 2021.
4. Onyekachi Umah, “Borrowed Government Vehicles Cannot Be Used At Any Election” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 14 February 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-268-borrowed-government-vehicles-cannot-be-used-at-any-election/> accessed 26 April 2021
5. Onyekachi Umah, “New Mandatory Duration For Judgements On All Appeals On Pre-Election Cases In Nigeria” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 24 November 2018) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-234-new-mandatory-duration-for-judgements-on-all-appeals-on-pre-election-cases-in-nigeria/> accessed 26 April 2021
6. Onyekachi Umah, “Deadline For Appealing Against Judgement Of Court On Any Pre-Election Matter” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 16 November 2018) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-229-deadline-for-appealing-against-judgement-of-court-on-any-pre-election-matter/> accessed 26 April 2021
7. Onyekachi Umah, “Forcing Wife to Stop Work is Now A Crime” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 21 April 2021) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/forcing-wife-to-stop-work-is-now-a-crime/https://learnnigerianlaws.com/forcing-wife-to-stop-work-is-now-a-crime/> accessed 26 April 2021
8. Onyekachi Umah, “It Is Now An Offence To Force Wife/Husband To Stop Working” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 28 May 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/it-is-now-an-offence-to-force-wife-husband-to-stop-working-daily-law-tips-tip-340-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarb-uk/> accessed 20 April 2021
9. Onyekachi Umah, “A Nigerian With Dual Citizenship Can Contest For Any Election In Nigeria” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 9 September 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/a-nigerian-with-dual-citizenship-can-contest-for-any-election-in-nigeria/> accessed 26 April 2021.
10. Onyekachi Umah, “LIST OF SCHOOL CERTIFICATES ACCEPTABLE IN NIGERIA FOR ANY ELECTIONS” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 12 July 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/list-school-certificates-acceptable-in-nigeria-for-any-elections-daily-law-tips-tip-370-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarb-uk/> accessed 27 April 2021
11. Onyekachi Umah, “NYSC CERTIFICATES ARE NOT NEEDED FOR ANY ELECTION IN NIGERIA RATHER PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATES ARE NEEDED” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 3 July 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/nysc-certificates-are-not-needed-for-any-election-in-nigeria-rather-primary-school-leaving-certificates-are-needed-daily-law-tips-tip-364-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarb-uk/> accessed 26 April 2021
12. Onyekachi Umah, “FOUR (4) CONDITIONS FOR AN ELECTION TO BE CHALLENGED IN TRIBUNAL/COURT” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 28 March 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/four-4-conditions-for-an-election-to-be-challenged-in-tribunal-court-daily-law-tips-tip-299-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarb-uk/> accessed 26 April 2021
13. Onyekachi Umah, “CAN VIOLENCE AND LACK OF MATERIALS CAUSE NULLIFICATION OF ELECTION IN NIGERIA” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 15 March 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/can-violence-and-lack-of-materials-cause-nullification-of-election-in-nigeria-daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-290/> accessed 26 April 2021
14. Onyekachi Umah, “THE ONLY TWO (2) PERONS THAT CAN CHALLENGE AN ELECTION IN NIGERIA” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 13 March 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-287-the-only-two-2-perons-that-can-challenge-an-election-in-nigeria/> accessed 26 April 2021
15. Onyekachi Umah, “WHEN CAN COURT NULLIFY AN ELECTION IN NIGERIA” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 11 March 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-286-when-can-court-nullify-an-election-in-nigeria/> accessed 26 April 2021
16. Onyekachi Umah, “DEADLINE FOR ELECTION PETITIONS TO BE FILED IN COURT” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 5 March 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-281-deadline-for-election-petitions-to-be-filed-in-court/> accessed 26 April 2021
17. Onyekachi Umah, “GOVERNMENT VEHICLES CAN BE USED AT ANY ELECTION IN NIGERIA” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 25 February 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-275-government-vehicles-can-be-used-at-any-election-in-nigeria/> accessed 26 April 2021
18. Onyekachi Umah, “IT IS AN OFFENCE TO GIVE GIFTS AND MONEY FOR ELECTION IN ANY PART OF NIGERIA” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 21 February 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-273-it-is-an-offence-to-give-gifts-and-money-for-election-in-any-part-of-nigeria/> accessed 26 April 2021
19. Onyekachi Umah, “BORROWED GOVERNMENT VEHICLES CANNOT BE USED AT ANY ELECTION” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 14 February 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-268-borrowed-government-vehicles-cannot-be-used-at-any-election/> accessed 26 April 2021
20. Onyekachi Umah, “COMPULSORY DATE FOR COURTS TO GIVE JUDGEMENTS IN ALL PRE-ELECTION CASES (PARTY PRIMARIES) IN NIGERIA” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 8 November 2018) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-223-compulsory-date-for-courts-to-give-judgements-in-all-pre-election-cases-party-primaries-in-nigeria/> accessed 26 April 2021
21. Onyekachi Umah, “DEADLINE FOR GOING TO COURTS FOR PRE-ELECTION PARTY DISPUTES IN NIGERIA” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 30 October 2018) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-216-deadline-for-going-to-courts-for-pre-election-party-disputes-in-nigeria/> accessed 28 April 2021
22. Onyekachi Umah, “Who Can Be Declared Winner in Governorship Election In Nigeria” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 26 September 2018) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-192-who-can-be-declared-winner-in-governorship-election-in-nigeria/> accessed 27 April 2021
23. Onyekachi Umah, “Seizing or Destroying the Property of a Spouse is a Crime” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 2 March 2021) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/seizing-or-destroying-the-property-of-a-spouse-is-a-crime/> accessed 20 April 2021
24. Onyekachi Umah, “Hiding/Concealing Domestic Violence Is A Crime” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 11 December 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/hiding-concealing-domestic-violence-is-a-crime/> accessed 20 April 2021
25. Onyekachi Umah, “Domestic Violence Is A Crime Not A Family Dispute” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 10 December 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/domestic-violence-is-a-crime-not-a-family-dispute/ > accessed 20 April 2021
26. Onyekachi Umah, “Why Lagos State Needs A VAPP/SGBV Law” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 26 January 2021) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/why-lagos-state-needs-a-vapp-sgbv-law/> accessed 20 April 2021
27. Onyekachi Umah, “Lagos State Has No VAPP/SGBV Law !” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 8 December 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/lagos-state-has-no-vapp-sgbv-law/> accessed 20 April 2021
28. Onyekachi Umah, “An Access To Criminal Laws In Nigeria” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 4 December 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/an-access-to-criminal-laws-in-nigeria/ > accessed 20 April 2021
29. Onyekachi Umah, “8 New Things About Rape Laws In Nigeria” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 3 December 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/8-new-things-about-rape-laws-in-nigeria/ > accessed 20 April 2021
30. Onyekachi Umah, “ChannelsTv Interviews Onyekachi Umah on Rape and the Laws.” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 20 November 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/channelstv-interviews-onyekachi-umah-on-rape-and-the-laws/ > accessed 20 April 2021
31. Onyekachi Umah, “Can A Woman Be Charged With Rape” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 24 June 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/can-a-woman-be-charged-with-rape-daily-law-tips-tip-595-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-ll-m-aciarbuk/ > accessed 20 April 2021
32. Onyekachi Umah, “Can A Husband Rape His Wife” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 19 June 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/can-a-husband-rape-his-wife-daily-law-tips-tip-592-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarbuk/ > accessed 20 April 2021
33. Onyekachi Umah, “When Is Seduction Or Indecent Dressing A Justification For Rape In Nigeria?” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 18 June 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/when-is-seduction-or-indecent-dressing-a-justification-for-rape-in-nigeria-daily-law-tips-tip-591-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarbuk/ > accessed 20 April 2021
34. Onyekachi Umah, “New Punishment For Rape In Nigeria” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 23 June 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/new-punishment-for-rape-in-nigeria-daily-law-tips-tip-594-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarbuk/ > accessed 20 April 2021
35. Onyekachi Umah, “Rape Cannot Be Settled Out Of Court (No Room For Pay-Off/Forgiveness/Withdrawal Of Complaints” (LearnNigerianLaws.com,26 June 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/rape-cannot-be-settled-out-of-court-no-room-for-pay-off-forgiveness-withdrawal-of-complaints-daily-law-tips-tip-596-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarbuk/ > accessed 20 April 2021
36. Onyekachi Umah, “A Female Too, Can BE Guilty Of Rape” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 13 December 2018) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-248-a-female-too-can-be-guilty-of-rape-in-nigeria/ > accessed 20 April 2021
37. Onyekachi Umah, “Ages At Which Sexual Intercourse With Consent Will Amount To Rape” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 20 February 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/ages-at-which-sexual-intercourse-with-consent-will-amount-to-rape-daily-law-tips-tip-509-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarbuk/ > accessed 20 April 2021
38. Onyekachi Umah, “How To Prove Rape In Nigeria).” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 2 July 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/how-to-prove-rape-in-nigeria-daily-law-tips-tip-363-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarb-uk/ > accessed 20 April 2021
39. Onyekachi Umah, “Child Marriage/Abuse Is A Crime (Rape): An Exposé On Laws Prohibiting Child Marriage” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 22 June 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/child-marriage-abuse-is-a-crime-rape-an-expose-on-laws-prohibiting-child-marriage-daily-law-tips-tip-593-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarbuk/ > accessed 20 April 2021
40. Onyekachi Umah, “Forced Marriage Is An Offence In Nigeria.” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 21 October 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/forced-marriage-is-an-offence-in-nigeria/ > accessed 20 April 2021 
41. Onyekachi Umah, “Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting/Elongation, Breasts Ironing And Forced Marriage Are Now Criminal Offences In Nigeria” (Daily Law Tips [443]) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/female-genital-mutilation-cutting-elongation-breasts-ironing-and-forced-marriage-are-now-criminal-offences-in-nigeria-daily-law-tips-tip-443-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarb-uk/ > accessed 20 April 2021
42. Onyekachi Umah, “Harmful Widowhood Practices (Traditions) Are Illegal In Nigeria” (Daily Law Tips [Tip 589]) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/harmful-widowhood-practices-traditions-are-illegal-in-nigeria-daily-law-tips-tip-589-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarbuk/ > accessed 20 April 2021
43. Onyekachi Umah, “Forceful Isolation/Separation Of Family Members/Friends Is Now An Offence In Nigeria” (Daily Law Tips [356]) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/forceful-isolation-separation-of-family-members-friends-is-now-an-offence-in-nigeria-daily-law-tips-tip-356-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarb-uk/ > accessed 120 April 2021
44. Onyekachi Umah, “Abandonment Of Wife/Husband, Children Or Dependants Is A Crime” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 3 December 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/abandonment-of-wife-husband-children-or-dependants-is-a-crime-daily-law-tips-tip-470-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarb-uk/> accessed 20 April 2021
45. Onyekachi Umah, “It Is An Offence To Chase Out Wife/Husband From A Home Or Even Attempt To Do So” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 17 May 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/it-is-an-offence-to-chase-out-wife-husband-from-a-home-or-even-attempt-to-do-so-daily-law-tips-tip-333-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarb-uk/> accessed 27 April 2021
46. Onyekachi Umah, “Examining Brutalization of House Helps in Nigeria. (An Exposé on Anti-Cruel Labour Laws in Nigeria)” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 3 August 2020) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/examining-brutalization-of-house-helps-in-nigeria-an-expose-on-anti-cruel-labour-laws-in-nigeria-daily-law-tips-tip-623-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-ll-m-aciarbuk/> accessed 27 April 2021
47. Pic credit: BBC News

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