The House of Representatives has approved a measure to alter the Flag and Coats of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to govern the exhibition and use of national flags.
The bill, sponsored by Hon Sada Soli, was approved during plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.
When the measure becomes law, it will increase the number of organizations that can arrest anyone for flag abuse or misuse, as well as the sanctions for such abuse and misuse.
Leading the debate, Hon Soli urged legislators to endorse the bill. He also stated that the law is separated into four pieces, with Section 8 seeking to be altered as part of Section 2.
He stated: “Section 8 of the Principal Act is amended by adding a new organisation as a Civil Defence Corps officer or any paramilitary organisation that may seize or remove any flag.
“Section 10 increases the fines of the offence from one hundred naira to one hundred thousand naira.
“Mr Speaker, Hon. Colleagues, both individuals and public and corporate organisations, from experience, use the flag to violate the use of our national flag, and we need to curb the excessive abuse of the flag. Hence, it needs to bring on board this amendment.”
The bill was first read on Thursday, November 23, 2023.