The bill known as FRIVOLOUS PETITION (prohibition etc)BILL 2015 (according to section 4) has just 4 Sections and its sole aim is to principally prevent frivolous petitions and other matters...
SECTION 1 makes it mandatory for all petition and statement made for the purpose of activating an investigation or inquiry to be supported by an AFFIDAVIT deposed to at the HIGH COURT OF A STATE or FEDERAL HIGH COURT
SECTION 2 renders any petition/statement made without compliance with section 1 incompetent and unreliable.
SECTION 3(1-4) specify different penalties/ punishment ranging from 6months to 2years and fine of up N2m for offences such as Unlawful use or publication of petition/complaints without affidavit, acting or using petition not accompanied by affidavit, in order to circumnavigate the law,making allegation or publishing statement/petition in the media with intent of discrediting persons,groups or institution of govt..
Section 3(4) seems to be major cause of the public opprobrium and let me state it verbatim.."Where any person through text message, tweet,whatsapp or through any social media, post any ABUSIVE STATEMENT knowing same to be FALSE with INTENT TO SET THE PUBLIC against any/or group of person, an institution of government or any other such bodies established by law shall be guilty of an offence...."
Without much ado, this law appears innocuous save and except one has an ulterior motives for making petitions/complaints to appropriate bodies or agency of government..It will at least prevent criminal defamation, malicious prosecution and maybe reduce wanton media persecution/witch hunt.The law is not in itself perfect but should be seen as a form of expected legislative intervention.
Warm Regards,
Babatope
For SDK Lawyers,
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Very nice...
ReplyDeleteAnd interesting
Too long
DeleteWe can't stop cussing out or saying things the way it is!
DeleteFreedom of speech is allowed.
Shut up! What did you know about the jagons he wrote up dir? And you call it interesting. Your head dey touch.
DeleteMiss aboki u're a real miss aboki
DeleteThat ur name fit u..ABOkI..mumu u b.I don't tink u understand that act...ewu
DeleteToo long a post. They should do the needful
ReplyDeleteThose Senators need a JOB
DeleteCan someone summarize?
ReplyDeleteLots of blunders in the bill. And this is supposed to be written by a senator? We have young intelligent professionals who can move this country forward without much ado. Not these expired men who should be in their homes taking their meds.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, is this our problem at the moment?
*Takes cover from missiles* That moment when u need shield/armor to read a bill n even the Lawyer in question? Arghhh! Sections, subsections, petitions, quotes , just as PL said; are these the pressing issues now, Mr Senator?! Bullcrap!
DeleteWell said
DeleteLawyer Baba tope thank you for the breakdown, but that law is a no no, this is Nigeria, once that law is passed the meaning changes and a few Nigerians understand what that bill is but why should they be bothered about being witch hunted if they have nothing to hide.
ReplyDelete1. If there's a claim on ones dignity all you do is come out to defend yourself, if not you won't justify any group with an answer and if efcc deems it fit to take it up, in as much as you are clean you've got nothing to worry about.
2. Even with swearing an affidavit, shit will still happen Sir.
Yeah, right! Like it's fun to keep defending yourself everytime. With una bad mouth in the Nigerian court of public opinion, who makes amends for the emotional and psychological stress the person goes through?
DeleteMost of you still doubt their press release put out to counter the damaging "gists" but you wholly believe the initial gist.
Na who wear shoe dey know where e dey pinch am my dear.
Well,I think its Clearer now than what d Media made d bill look lyk a total clamp down on Social medium
ReplyDeleteI read this bill last week. Most people misinterpreted it.
DeleteI know this is democracy but it's been abused.
I have no problem with this bill biko.
SR and their likes are the ones that should be scared of this.
Ok
ReplyDeleteAlright.....
ReplyDeleteI think I support this law. Social media and hateful publications has further divided Nigeria against herself. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a sworn affidavit to back up your accusations.
ReplyDeleteSahara reporters are wailing simply because they know that most of their publications are nothing but lies.
The bill and its purpose is as clear as daylight. People like Linda Ikeji have a problem with the bill cos they post unconfirmed reports without proof all the time, and make money off smear campaigns on people's character.
ReplyDeleteTake for example, the 2shot's gist where the wife's message was exposed.
2shot can NEVER come after any blogger over that issue because there's evidence that his wife abi baby mama actually sent it. Her number can be used for confirmation when in doubt.
Fact is, if you post anything however damaging it may be to the character of the person involved, and you have proof to back it up in court then you should have no cause to worry about this bill.
Balderdash! all because ppl have been castigating Dat daura Dullard, this bill suddenly Springs up??? And they tell me it's got nothing to do with him??? Abeg tell Dat to ur gullible followers
ReplyDeleteHow would you feel if someone called your father a dullard?
DeleteIs it that you were not properly trained or you just didn't take the training your parents gave?
I smh for you...
Just see past the hate you have for the man and be objective..
Everyone is entitled to their opinion anyways but please, do your parents proud at least!! Let all know you have basic home training!!
Really, why are Nigerians so blinded by sentiments they'd leave or trample on the truth just to prove their ignorant point? This Nigeria matter don tire me..
Nneka,u shld be smarter than dis
DeleteWhy bother yourself with this empty barrel with low IQ? This one is d dullest of d bunch who's on social media to beg for alms and re echo other people's opinion. This one shouldn't be given any recognition when it comes to intellectual discourse. Leave her to the dirty lo street under the bridge talks that involve mentally derailed street urchins like her self. Pls allow her she doesn't know any better. Thank u.
DeleteSo Sdk have lawyers now, I still don't have the strength to read all these, please someone make it shorter and plain for me
ReplyDeleteAddition: a bill has to pass 3 stages before it is passed into law. The said Bill just passed 2nd reading so let's just keep calm and hope majority of the Senate doesn't assent to it.
ReplyDeleteCan someone summarize please.
ReplyDeleteNawa o. SDK lawyers????
ReplyDeleteTank you Eka joy tell dat mumu Lafresh mayb she will understand. Dat babe is just t00 gullible.
ReplyDeleteEnd time bill
ReplyDeleteHow about a bill to jail all corrupt officers for life and never to see daylight again.
ReplyDeleteour leaders which way
ReplyDelete#GODWIN™
Ok.
ReplyDeleteTheir problem.
ReplyDeleteI thought everyone has freedom of speech
ReplyDeletea.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said...
ReplyDelete.
They are all jokers though....
.
.
***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***
Like play like play, this bill is going to be passed into law
ReplyDeleteSeen!
ReplyDeleteIts now clear stella is under apc payroll, mumu what do u guys know about law, if a lawyer bends all this law for you in law court na that time ur eyes go come clear,you are too obsessed with linda, it will kill you one day, bcos she is strongly against it, you decide you should do the opposite, what is wrong is wrong
ReplyDeleteToo long to read abeg...
ReplyDeleteTheres nothing wrong with this Bill, it seeks amongst other things to stop this ANONYMOUS posts just like the one i did now. If you must post, you must use either your NIN or BVN or any verifiable identity. This will be good so that people will stop peddling lies and insults on social media
ReplyDeleteDis bill has an hidden clause being kept away from d purview of d public....cos with wat I juss read up now....its not enuf to cos any public outcry....but I think those who know about d hidden clause are d ones dat brought dis to our notice.....
ReplyDelete******Stella's new found son****
Now i miss ex President Goodluck Jonathan. He supported the passing of Freedom of information bill.
ReplyDeleteThis bill is a No No. I know this current President is the one sponsoring this bill. I am completely against this bill no matter how many lawyers they bring to explain the rationale behind it.
XOXO MYSTERY
Smh! And you usually sound very intelligent o.
Delete"I KNOW this current president is the one sponsoring this bill"
This is exactly what this bill is trying to guard against. Too many crazy people letting out the first retarded thought that crosses their mind with so much authority.
The sponsor of the bill (Na'allah) has never hidden his identity, and the president even said yesterday that he will no assent to the bill yet, you come here to brazenly say "you KNOW". Like you were there, and you saw him sponsoring it.
Na wah for una!
Flakkie how can you consider xoxo intelligent?? That in itself is alarming. One who strings words together with so much effort just to sound intellectually sound, but end up confusing herself. She makes sense only on talks that involve her fellow runz girls and other frivolous gibberish. Please disassociate intelligence from xoxo! Thank you.
DeleteEnter your comment...
ReplyDeleteThe contents of this Bill if passed into an act may be void for duplication. we already have legal remedies against slander & libel.
The Supreme Court had held in the case of A. G Abia State v A. G Federation (2002) 6 NWLR pt763 page 264.
Kudos to Babatope Esq. for this explanation.
Summary:
ReplyDelete1. If you make a facebook POST and say that A PHI CEE promised to pay Nigerians 5k and they are not doing it. If you live in Nigeria, you'd be in jail and pay 2 m fine!
2. if you tweet that BABA BUBU is an old man and should resign and you live in Nigeria, you'd be in jail and pay 2 m.
3. If you whats app or facebook dp has a picture of a divided Nigerian map and you live in Nigeria, you'd go to jail and pay 2m.
4. If you tweet and ask why politrictians are having foreign account (sahara style) and you live in Nigeria, you'd go to jail and pay 2m.
5. If you tweet or "facebook" that the roads in your state are bad and the governor is buying private jets and you live in Nigeria, you'd go to jail and pay 2m.
6. If you SDK a comment that your governor has married a teenage "mama iwota" and he is an ole (I didn't make mistake for "old") and ugly bot-bellied man and you live in Nigeria, you'd go to jail and pay 2m.
7. If tweet or SDK the gospel (Lady igo style) and it is deemed to "incite " some other "religions" to leave theirs and you live in Nigeria, you'd go to jail and pay 2m.
8. If you post a caricature picture of your governor or political representative raping and feasting and it is deemed to "incite people to unrest", you would go to jail and pay 2m.
9. If you post the above like is done here, you will be arrested online and imprisoned without trial and you pay 2m from prison.
10. if they can't catch you, the D PHE ESS will wait for you at MMA and arrest you; straight to their underground dungeon. They will not release you even if the court grants you bail ten times; even if the youths all over the "Saint West", sorry "Saint East" (did I get the spelling?) go on rampage and army, police and "cible depends" open fire!
HEY, WELQUOME TO CHANGI "DEQUREE" "POUR" POR NIGARIA! BEPORE YOU QUOMMENT ON SDK, LET YOUR LAWYER "BET" IT!
HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHHAHHAHHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA
MORE CLIENTELE FOR THE LAWYERS!
ReplyDeleteSummary:
ReplyDelete1. If you make a facebook POST and say that A PHI CEE promised to pay Nigerians 5k and they are not doing it. If you live in Nigeria, you'd be in jail and pay 2 m fine!
2. if you tweet that BABA BUBU is an old man and should resign and you live in Nigeria, you'd be in jail and pay 2 m.
3. If you whats app or facebook dp has a picture of a divided Nigerian map and you live in Nigeria, you'd go to jail and pay 2m.
4. If you tweet and ask why politrictians are having foreign account (sahara style) and you live in Nigeria, you'd go to jail and pay 2m.
5. If you tweet or "facebook" that the roads in your state are bad and the governor is buying private jets and you live in Nigeria, you'd go to jail and pay 2m.
6. If you SDK a comment that your governor has married a teenage "mama iwota" and he is an ole (I didn't make mistake for "old") and ugly bot-bellied man and you live in Nigeria, you'd go to jail and pay 2m.
7. If tweet or SDK the gospel (Lady igo style) and it is deemed to "incite " some other "religions" to leave theirs and you live in Nigeria, you'd go to jail and pay 2m.
8. If you post a caricature picture of your governor or political representative raping and feasting and it is deemed to "incite people to unrest", you would go to jail and pay 2m.
9. If you post the above like is done here, you will be arrested online and imprisoned without trial and you pay 2m from prison.
10. if they can't catch you, the D PHE ESS will wait for you at MMA and arrest you; straight to their underground dungeon. They will not release you even if the court grants you bail ten times; even if the youths all over the "Saint West", sorry "Saint East" (did I get the spelling?) go on rampage and army, police and "cible depends" open fire!
HEY, WELQUOME TO CHANGI "DEQUREE" "POUR" POR NIGARIA! BEPORE YOU QUOMMENT ON SDK, LET YOUR LAWYER "BET" IT!
HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHHAHHAHHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA
End time bill
ReplyDeleteOne trillion
So Stella, now that you have read this, you now support the bill?
ReplyDeleteMr SDK lawyer, so you support this bill?
You do not see this as a bill to muzzle the public?
Did propaganda start today?
This bill that is not so bad, according to you, will it stand internationally?
Is there any country in this world that prosecutes for libel, defamation against persons?
Is it right to criminalize libel?
Do you realise this bill will give government the right to hack personal accounts and clamp down on the perceived enemies?
Remember when the whole world was screaming 'Je suis Charlie', sis anyone find out what that journalism cpmpnay does and how they do it? Now, that's what freedom of speech is all about!!
My fellow colleague, perhaps you should look more into the intent of the law and at possible interpretation in years to come.
I pray however, for the sake of our still very nascent democracy that President Buhari declines to sign such bill into law as FREE SPEECH is a hallmark of true democracy.
P.s - the law on defamation is already very clear and unambiguous and has been upholding by the courts since the beginning of our existence as a nation- if someone defames your character, sue him!!! Don't criminalize it!!
Mr Lawyer, this is Nigeria, corruption has eaten deep into every nook and cranny so instead of this bill, he should have proposed for a bill to create an agency that will investigate even anonymous tip off of corrupt practices and pass on the case to ICPC, EFCC or responsible authority if the tip is found to be accurate. For instance, if I come in to your office and you demand for bribe before you perform a task for which the govt is paying you salary, I can call a toll free number and report you even without giving my name or email a video or audio evidence to them and they will send a spy to gather first hand evidence to build the case.
ReplyDeleteThis bill means you must first of all go to the court to get an affidavit, before you make your post, how does this not kill freedom of speech? The last time I got an affidavit, I shook my head...the lady had a drawer filled with egunje. I insisted on doing it the right way and I don't need to tell you how long it took to get the woman to write how much I should pay, go and pay to the cashier, move to another woman to stamp, bring it back for the other to write amount and so forth while the people that paid her egunje had their affidavit in no time. At least I learnt the process but we really have a long way to go in this country.
We already have laws that cover libel, defamation of character etc so why not sue the poster under already existing laws?
I am not buying your advise and the disclaimer says it all.
Catch Stella Dimoko first! For saying 70% of Nigerians are thieves. Carry her off
ReplyDelete