Meet Bala Ibn Na’Allah, a multi-term Senator representing Kebbi state. He doesn’t appear to be a fan of the freedom of expression Nigerians currently enjoy online.

A bill which he sponsored yesterday passed into second reading at the Senate. The bill is seeking two years imprisonment with an option of N2 million fine for any Nigerian who posts “abusive statements” on the social media. According to the bill; any person who through text messages, tweets, WhatsApp or any of the social media posts any abusive statement knowing same to be false with intent to set the public against any person and/or group of persons, an institution or Government or such other bodies established by law shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction shall be liable to an imprisonment for two years or a fine of N2 million or both such fine and imprisonment.‎

We support this bill. Thank you sir for this bill. SAHARA reporters take note.

I concur with the bill. it will bring sanity and reliability to the social media.
but the jail and bail terms are too gargantuan.
Two months jail and N100 000 is okay.

The two posters above me should keep quiet. After the present government use the same media to tarnish and topple the previous government, they now want to dump the same tool that aided their campaign.....lobbishh

After using the freedom of information bill against the clueless one, now you turn around to oppose it
Don't worry election is coming, you won't be able to use lies again

They want to make sure their nyanshes are well hidden. They are smart guys.
Now they can commit crimes and walk about freely cos their victims will not be able to squel on them without evidence.
Much like sharia law of produce 4 withnesses for your rape acusation or forever remain silent.


On the other hand, I believe the bloggers or rumour carriers should be made to publicly appologize and pay a fine if the rumours carried are proven without doubt to be false.

I don't know whether to support or to kick against it. In fact am kicking against it because APC used this style of media against uncle jona now they are afraid of their shadow

This bill can't succed

My opinion:

I do not support the entirety of the Bill.

I support control of frivolous petitions to the Senate and Security Agencies with no basis other than to destroy and demean the victims.

I disagree with the attempt to control social media commentaries. It is an attempt to mute the less influential online commentators who are by far doing a better job to check the excesses of government and unscrupulous individuals. Yes, there will be those who may abuse the medium, however, the existing laws on libel should subsist.

Please someone should let me know when this bill is passed, 2 years no be here.

But we need bill to curb executive and legislative corruption more

Not cool

So we don't have freedom of speech in this country again abi?

See his dressing pls and he's still receiving wardrobe allowance.


End time senator

Lol! Welcome to the madhouse!!

They had better start building more prisons cos the ones available will not be enough. Plus, I’m not willing to share a bed /space with murderers and thieves. My stay in the prison has to be dignified (as someone who just yabbed a govt in power)

Freedom of speech is free


Freedom after speech, blog or posts may not be free

What's rubbish when we're suppose to be moving for bills that protects whistle blowers we are here passing a satanic bill that limit the usefulness of freedom of information act.


Think this senators are after their own purse and selfish personal gain or what do they gain if no one can question their frivolous activities on the social media.

Rubbish!!! How many politicians,even the 'confused' senators that we have presently can raise up his/her hand that he/she did not make use of social media influence to win election? Another means of burying the evil deeds of politicians and corrupt leaders. if you are doing well,why scared of social media power? Instead of them to pass bills that will better the well-being of masses, they are passing nonsense bill amidst so many problems that this country is facing.
This is democracy and not military regime.
Freedom of speech for all is what we want!

igraman:
I concur with the bill. it will bring sanity and reliability to the social media.
but the jail and bail terms are too gargantuan.
Two months jail and N100 000 is okay.

I agree with you.

And when this is being implemented. They should come and start with us on nairaland

ok

hammariise:
See his dressing pls and he's still receiving wardrobe allowance.


End time senator

?..omo dis guy na charley..

Whatever happened to the FOI Act? This people sha!
Check out my signature jor

We already have sections 373 to 381 of the criminal code of Nigeria covering every aspect of Libel and Slander. Is there really any need for the duplication?

The bill should be killed as it will contradict freedom of speech law. The senator is a dunce

The bill should be killed as it will contradict freedom of speech law. The senator is a dunce suggestion plse

APC would likely end up badly. It's obvious they ain't ready to tackle the main issues facing us as a nation. God have mercy on us!

Mztarstrechy:

Meet Bala Ibn Na’Allah, a multi-term Senator representing Kebbi state. He doesn’t appear to be a fan of the freedom of expression Nigerians currently enjoy online.

A bill which he sponsored yesterday passed into second reading at the Senate. The bill is seeking two years imprisonment with an option of N2 million fine for any Nigerian who posts “abusive statements” on the social media. According to the bill; any person who through text messages, tweets, WhatsApp or any of the social media posts any abusive statement knowing same to be false with intent to set the public against any person and/or group of persons, an institution or Government or such other bodies established by law shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction shall be liable to an imprisonment for two years or a fine of N2 million or both such fine and imprisonment.‎

I support him 100%.

Nigerians now use social media to spread false rumours and hatred.

Hahhaa e pain am say we yab him village head master dressing. Bitter ibn

What is abusive statement? Yu dey craze, rubbish, slowpoke, fool, ediot, egg-head etc etc are all abusive words, if the senate have nothing good to do they should suspend plenary and go home.

hammariise:
See his dressing pls and he's still receiving wardrobe allowance.


End time senator

The dressing is not my problem but how dirty he looks. What happened to his wardrobe allowance? Abi them no follow give am?

The only tool used by the poor to fight corruption is about being Invaded.... We no go gree. When next you people want to deliberate on that bill, una go jump fence again

what happened to libel as enshrined in the Constitution?