As the momentum garners for the Monday’s scheduled Senate Public
Hearing on Frivolous Petition Bill otherwise known as the anti-media bill, the
Freedom of Information Coalition in Nigeria (FOICN) has enjoined well-meaning Nigerians
to reject the bill in the interest of the country’s democracy, reports
ITRealms.
Chairman, Board of Governors of the Coalition, Walter Duru made
the call while addressing newsmen in Calabar at the weekend, describing the
bill as irresponsible and an attempt to gag the Press, warning that if allowed,
will spell doom for the country’s democracy.
“The bill is draconian, anti-media and anti-masses. Every Nigerian
must stand to resist it. All stakeholders must come out en-mass to shoot down
the Bill at the Public Hearing on Monday, 7th March, 2016,” he said.
“The Frivolous Petitions bill, popularly referred to as anti-media
bill is on its own frivolous and geared towards taking the country back to the
dark days. It contradicts the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,
as well as the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. It is either that those behind
the bill have committed one atrocity and are afraid that it might be blown open
soon, or they plan to secure this draconian law as a cover for a planned evil. This
will not work.”
He urged the National Assembly leadership to withdraw the bill in
the interest of the nation.
“Whoever does not want to be discussed in public should stay away
from public office. This shows how insensitive our leaders are. Nigerians are
hungry and the economy is going down by the day, as a result of poor
leadership. How does this bill put food on the table of Nigerians? The focus
now should be on legislations and steps that will improve the socio-economic
well-being of the people; enhance security and check corruption and not this
evil ploy. We have sufficient laws that regulate media practice. This bill is
simply evil,” he fumed.
“The energy being wasted in this kind of unproductive bill should
be invested in fast-tracking legislations like the Proceeds of Crime Agency,
Whistle Blowers Protection, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Center and Mutual
Assistance in Criminal Matters bills that hill help move the country forward
and check corruption in the system.”
The Frivolous Petition Bill seeks a two-year jail term for any
person who makes allegations or publishes any statement or petition in the
newspaper, radio or medium of whatsoever description against another person,
institutions of government or any public office holder.
The Bill also prescribes that anyone or group of persons who sends
any false text message or post false message on the social media against
another person shall be jailed for two years upon conviction by the law court.
The bill tagged “A bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions
and other matters connected therewith,” sponsored by Senator Ibn Na’Allah, APC,
Kebbi South, compels petitioners to accompany petitions with sworn court
affidavit, failure of which attracts a six-month imprisonment, upon conviction.
On the social media, the bill reads: “Where any person through
text message, tweets, WhatsApp or through any social media posts any abusive
statement with intent to set the public against any person or group of persons,
an institution of government or such other bodies established by law shall be
guilty of an offense and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment
for two years or a fine of N2,000,000.00 or both fine and imprisonment.”
The bill said it shall be an offence for any petition to be
submitted without a sworn affidavit from the law court.
The bill has generated public outcry since its introduction.
ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!
No comments:
Post a Comment