Overview

This document is the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Decree 1975, a Nigerian federal military government decree enacted on 7th November 1975. It establishes the offence of sabotage related to the production or distribution of petroleum products. Under Section 1, a person commits sabotage if they wilfully act with intent to obstruct or prevent production or distribution of petroleum products, or obstruct vehicles or highways used for distribution, and thereby cause or contribute to a significant interruption. Aiding, inciting, counselling, or procuring another to do such acts also constitutes sabotage. Section 2 sets the penalty for sabotage as death or imprisonment up to 21 years. Section 3 allows the Head of the Federal Military Government to constitute military tribunals for trial of offences, comprising a president (an officer of major rank or above in the Army, or equivalent in Navy or Air Force) and two to four other armed forces officers with at least three years' commission. Section 4 grants these tribunals exclusive jurisdiction over sabotage offences under this Decree, but they may direct proceedings to a civil court if deemed inappropriate; in such cases, the accused cannot be charged under this Decree but may face other charges. Section 5 adopts the practice and procedure of courts-martial under the Nigerian Army Act 1960, with modifications, and allows prosecution by a legal practitioner or a police officer of inspector rank or above. The decree underscores the government's priority on maintaining petroleum production and distribution during a period of oil-based economic significance.

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