Nigeria FG Warns Landlords: 20-Year Jail Under Terrorism Act 2022

• The Federal Government has warned Nigerian landlords about prosecution for renting properties to terrorists.
• Individuals hosting preparatory meetings for terrorist groups also risk legal action under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
• Mijinyawa Zakari, Director of the Legal Office of the National Security Adviser, delivered this warning.
• The 2022 Act criminalizes various terrorism-related activities, including support.
• Providing terrorism support carries a minimum jail term of 20 years under the Act.

Specifically, individuals found guilty of providing such support face a minimum jail term of 20 years.

The Nigerian Federal Government has issued a significant warning to property owners across the nation, emphasizing the severe legal repercussions for those who inadvertently or knowingly facilitate terrorist activities. This alert specifically targets landlords who lease their properties to individuals involved in terrorism, as well as any persons who permit their premises to be used for planning or preparatory meetings by terrorist organizations. The government's stance underscores a broadened scope of liability for property owners in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

Mijinyawa Zakari, who serves as the Director of the Legal Office of the National Security Adviser, conveyed this critical message. He clarified that such actions are not merely frowned upon but are explicitly criminalized under existing legislation. This public statement aims to raise awareness among the populace, particularly those managing real estate, about their potential exposure to prosecution if their properties are linked to terrorist networks.

The legal foundation for these warnings is the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. This comprehensive legislation is designed to combat terrorism by criminalizing a wide array of activities associated with it, extending beyond direct participation to include various forms of support and facilitation. The Act's provisions mean that actions such as providing a physical location for terrorist groups, whether through rental agreements or by allowing the use of premises for strategic planning, fall squarely within its punitive scope.

Under the stipulations of the 2022 Act, any form of support for terrorism carries a substantial penalty. Specifically, individuals found guilty of providing such support face a minimum jail term of 20 years. This severe sentencing guideline highlights the government's commitment to deterring any actions that could aid terrorist operations, placing a significant burden of responsibility on property owners to ensure their assets are not misused for illicit purposes.

The recent pronouncement from the Federal Government significantly elevates the legal risks for Nigerian landlords and property managers. The explicit inclusion of property rental and the hosting of preparatory meetings as prosecutable offenses under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, necessitates a re-evaluation of current practices within the real estate sector. Property owners are now faced with a direct and serious liability for the activities conducted on their premises, even if they are not directly involved in the terrorist acts themselves.

This development underscores the critical importance of enhanced due diligence in tenant screening and continuous monitoring of property use. The potential for a minimum 20-year jail term for terrorism support means that ignorance or negligence will likely not serve as a viable defense. Consequently, property owners must adopt more stringent measures to vet prospective tenants and remain vigilant about the nature of activities occurring within their rented or owned spaces to avoid severe legal consequences and contribute to national security efforts.

Lawyers should advise landlord and property management clients in Nigeria on the heightened legal risks and the need for enhanced due diligence in tenant screening and property use monitoring to avoid prosecution under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

Source: Original reporting via TheNigeriaLawyer