The Senate has reached an advanced stage to pass a bill that seeks seven years jail term for social media critics found guilty of inciting the public against the government.
The proposed legislation which has scaled second reading in the upper legislative chamber is also proposing a stiffer punishment for internet fraudsters and scammers in Nigeria as those convicted will face a seven years imprisonment.
The joint Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and legal matters, Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes led by Senator Umaru Dahiru (PDP, Sokoto), yesterday organised a one day public hearing on the bill for an act to provide for the prohibition and punishment for electronic fraud and crime in all electronic transactions in Nigeria.
Section 13 subsection 3 of the bill proposes that: “Anyone who intentionally propagates false information that could threaten the security of the country or that is capable of inciting the general public against the government through electronic message shall be guilty of an offense and upon conviction shall be sentenced to seven years imprisonment or N5 million (fine).”
Declaring open the public hearing Senate President David Mark who was represented by the deputy minority whip, Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC, Katsina), said electronic fraudsters pose great danger to the country which must be tackled to attract foreign investment.
The committee chairman Senator Umaru Dahiru (PDP, Sokoto) said electronic fraud was posing serious threat to world economies and Nigeria being a developing economy should enact appropriate laws to deal with the challenges.

common y jail them..

There's no govt without its critics, why jail them if they're saying the truth? Well, I don't support citizens abusing those in power. Let's see how this turn out

Decree 4 redux. Dead on arrival.

Reminds me of the Russian govt, trash might be given but none will be taken

Hmmm god bless nigeria.. Read the full transcript of the bill and senate that voting in for the bill..

http://gistyinka.net/senate-committee-approved-7-years-jail-term-for-any-social-media-critics/

Look at the two parties working together to stifle one avenue through which the citizens can put pressure on them.

Blaming scamming for lack of foreign investment Of course it has to be that because plane crashes, politician funded mass murders, govt. appointed parastatal bottleneck, grand theft of public funds, lack of public infrastructure, prohibitive tax regimes for legitimate businesses, inept police force and pardoned criminals are things that are not found in Nigeria.

Let them continue. . .The same online presence will galvanise the public to send them out of office. Maybe Mark needs to put a call through to Mubarak for advice.

This is a carry-over of the archaic, backward law of sedition. They don't need another law for this na. If not to make it more specific and easier to enforce

hahahahahaha see senate. is this another child marriage law? hahahahahahahahaha, senate indeed. u call urselves senate and nobody told u the day fuel subsidy was removed. u call urself senate nd wike is sacking lecturers without ur consent. u call urselves senate and sure p money and other funds and properties meant for us disappear on daily basis. senators indeed. we are waiting because we are all set for the jail. what laws have u made for boko boys and those of u in the stealing of public funds business?
anyways, we will make laws for death sentence on those who steal public funds.
senators with a general as president

this is the height of Joblessness...God is watching all of you On HD

Odikwa serious they really mean it.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/1301365_and_you_want_me_to_say_wow_jpg56be1f50d57d0a1b9939090c71d45f87

;DGod bless Nigeria

When have laws ever been appropriately aplied in this country?? If this sees the light of day, then we can as well bid farewell to free speech in the country. This is where the oposition should make their presence in the assembly count, by blocking this clearly anti-people legislation. Whatever hapened to working on a bill that proposes very stiff punishment for corrupt public servants?? The oposition in the NASS are realy begining to piss me off!

Mtcheeeewww!!!

This would explain the massive online surveillance contract that Nigeria tried to award an israeli firm not too long ago.

Cyber policing Not cool. Even though some people yarn too much opata and troll on the internet.

Good development

Booked

false information leads to confusion, confusion leads to panicking, panicking leads to unrest, unrest leads govt instability, instability leads to economic problems, and whole other things.
It is a good gesture, but my concern is that it could go a long way to arrest freedom of speech..

omenka: When have laws ever been appropriately aplied in this country?? If this sees the light of day, then we can as well bid farewell to free speech in the country. This is where the oposition should make their presence in the assembly count, by blocking this clearly anti-people legislation. Whatever hapened to working on a bill that proposes very stiff punishment for corrupt public servants?? The oposition in the NASS are realy begining to piss me off!

Didn't u read the post, an APC boss supports it....

Gbawe,Demdem et al take note.
This law is purposely for ur kinds.
E don b for una.

Long overdue.
All these internet urchins will soon find a new home.

i really dont blame this senators. I blame nigerians who voted for them. So they mean if they do wrong nobody should criticize them? if you do, you would go to jail for 7years? indeed they've taken themselves to be god. I thank GOD i didnt vote for any senator or house of reps. member. Thank GOD for the president i voted for at least i dont regret voting for him. i didnt waste my time voting for unnecessary people

@OP

The senatorial and gubernatorial positions are two unfortunate and useless departments of Nigerian democracy. Both bodies should be eliminated for Nigeria’s democracy to be meaningful.

99/100:
Gbawe,Demdem et al take note.
This law is purposely for ur kinds.
E don b for una.

You've just proven that laws in Nigeria are made to protect some. Why don't you include Sincere9erian, Deluded Gull, et al?

99/100:
Gbawe,Demdem et al take note.
This law is purposely for ur kinds.
E don b for una.

LoL... Add berem, tribaleast and dat ediot faani kayode