Thursday, 19 May 2016

Nigerian Senate withdraws anti-social media bill

Nigerians, especially those active on social media, can now celebrate as the Senate withdrew the Frivolous Petitions bill notoriously dubbed the anti-social media bill on Tuesday. The controversial bill was seen as an attempt to restrict freedom of expression.



The withdrawal of the bill followed the report of the upper chamber’s Committee on Human Rights and Legal Matters submitted by David Umar on Tuesday. The report made it clear the bill amounted to violation of citizens’ rights, and contradicted extant laws, imposing duty of investigation on petitioners and serving as stumbling block to the fight against corruption.

Therefore, reading the recommendation of the Committee, Mr. Umaru recommended that the bill be withdrawn by the Senate to safeguard democracy and citizens’ freedom of expression.

The report was adopted by the Senate after gaining favourable voice vote called by the Ike Ekweremadu, deputy Senate President.

Ironically, the report of the jettison of the bill by the Senate was received with low response on social media perhaps overwhelmed by the controversy over the NLC strike over the hike in pump price of Petrol. Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, however took to Twitter to celebrate the ‘achievement’ of the Senate

I'm sure glad the bill has disposed with. No one wants to go to jail for baring their mind on social media. lol!


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