President Jonathan Approves Order Proscribing Boko Haram And Ansaru, Members,Supporters, Collaborators Now Face Prosecution Under Terrorism Prevention Act
President Goodluck Jonathan has formally approved the proscription of Boko Haram and authorized the gazetting of an order declaring the group's activities illegal and acts of terrorism.
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, was approved by President Jonathan pursuant to section 2 0f 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.
The proscription order 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.
For the purposes of subsection (1) of section, “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.
FCTA Cancels Revenue Allocation Committee Meeting Over Chairmen's Absence
The Federal Capital Territory Administration on Tuesday cancelled the meeting of the Joint Account Allocation Committee due to the absence of some of the chairmen of the Area Councils.
The FCT Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting, which was slated for 3:00pm on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, had in attendance the Chairperson of the Honourable Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Chukwu; Director of Admin and Finance, ACSS, Alhaji Yusuf Tsaiyabu; Auditor General of FCT Area Councils, Dr. Fred Omaka; Director of Satellite Towns Development Agency (STDA), Alhaji Tukur Ibrahim and officials of the Area Council Services Secretariat.
Only two of the six Area Council Chairmen – Hon. Ishyaku Tete Shaban (Kuje Area Council) and Hon. Daniel Ibrahim (Kwali Area Council) were in attendance as at4:18pm.
The JAAC meeting holds monthly to take policy decisions affecting the six Area Councils of Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali and also disburse the revenue allocation received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for the area councils.
The revenue allocation for the FCT Area Councils for the month of April 2013 was received on Monday, June 3, 2013 from the FAAC.
The FCT Minister of State, who called off the meeting, said the FCT Administration would no longer condone perpetual late coming to JAAC meetings by the Area Council Chairmen.
A statement signed by the Special Assistant (Media & Publicity) to the minister, Oluyinka Akintunde, quoted her as saying, 'The FCT Administration is desirous of collaborating with Area Council Chairmen to fast-track development at the grassroots.
'The presence of the Area Council chairmen is required at the FCT Area Council JAAC meeting to enable them take policy decisions. We need to show commitment and responsibility.'
Akinjide reiterated the commitment of the Administration to building a plural and inclusive society and resolving the developmental challenge in the territory.
The FCT Administration had last month received the sum of N2,021,726,296.86 from the Federation Account Allocation Committee being revenue allocated to the six Area Councils for the month of March 2013.
The FCT Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee distributed N228.44 million to Abuja Municipal Area Council, N179.23 million to Gwagwalada Area Council and N173.44 million to Bwari Area Council.
The Committee also disbursed N157.22 million to Abaji Area Council, N155.12 million to Kuje Area Council and N137.33 million to Kwali Area Council.