Nigeria withdraws proposed anti-social media bill

The Nigerian Senate yesterday, 18 May 2016, bowed to pressure from the public on the Frivolous Petition Bill 2015 (SB. 143), otherwise known as the anti- social media bill, throwing away the draft law.
Image by 123RF
Image by 123RF

Sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na'Allah (APC, Kebbi South), the bill set the Senate against the public when it passed through second reading late last year, leading to a mass protest at the entrance of the National Assembly.

The senators took the decision following the report of the committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the bill.

Delivering the report of his Committee, Senator David Umaru (APC, Niger East) said almost all stakeholders during the Public Hearing oppose to the bill.

In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the plenary also backed the withdrawal.

Outrage

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.

The introduction of the bill sparked widespread outrage across the country.


 
For more, visit: https://www.bizcommunity.com