The Federal Government has cautioned landlords, businesses and other stakeholders against offering any form of support to terrorist groups, stressing that such actions are criminal offences under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, TPPA, 2022.
The caution was issued by Mijinyawa Zakari, Director in the Legal Office of the Office of the National Security Adviser, during a press briefing following the conclusion of the 11th phase of terrorism suspects’ trials.
Zakari explained that the legislation goes beyond punishing individuals who directly participate in terrorist attacks, extending liability to collaborators, financiers and those who facilitate terrorist activities through various forms of assistance noting that the law criminalises a broad spectrum of actions, including preparatory activities carried out before an actual terrorist act occurs.
“A careful reading of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, will indicate that Sections 11 to 33 provide for a wide range of offences, including preparatory offences,” Zakari said.
He explained that the provisions were deliberately designed to ensure law enforcement agencies can intervene before terrorist activities are executed rather than waiting for attacks to occur.
“The strategy is to ensure that there is dominance across all fields. When you talk about collaborators, you deal with what the investigation has revealed,” he said.
According to him, anyone found providing support to a terrorist organisation faces a minimum prison sentence of 20 years. He added that property owners who knowingly rent their buildings or facilities to terrorists are also liable to prosecution under the law.
“For example, providing support to terrorism attracts a minimum sentence of 20 years. Renting your property to a terrorist is also an offence,” Zakari said.
The legal expert further stated that criminal responsibility is not limited to carrying out attacks, noting that organising or hosting meetings for terrorist groups could attract prosecution even where no violent act has yet been committed.
“You may not have a clear-cut act of terrorism or a harmful act, but all those actions, including holding a preparatory meeting with a terrorist group, constitute offences,” he added.
Also Read:Â Nigeria, France, Australia seek global solidarity against terrorism
Zakari urged members of the public, particularly journalists, civil society actors and private-sector operators, to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the TPPA 2022 to better understand the scope of terrorism-related offences in Nigeria.
“That is why there is a need for increased awareness of what constitutes a terrorist offence in Nigeria. Reading those sections will really help us,” he said.
He stressed that a proper understanding of the law would enable stakeholders to identify potentially unlawful conduct and avoid inadvertently becoming entangled in terrorism-related activities.
“What I would encourage you to do is get a copy of the TPPA 2022 and go through those sections. You will understand the strategy better. This is helpful to both the media and all stakeholders,” Zakari said.
The ONSA official also warned companies and corporate organisations against receiving or handling funds linked to terrorism, saying severe financial and legal consequences await violators regardless of whether the money is eventually used to carry out an attack.
“For example, a company that receives terrorist financing, whether or not that money is used for the offence, will be charged a fine of N200 million. The principals will be prosecuted, and that company could be wound up,” he said.
He added that the government is enhancing its investigative and enforcement capabilities to ensure that individuals, businesses and organisations involved in terrorism financing, facilitation or other forms of support are identified, prosecuted and held accountable under the law.
THE CABLE
