The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, reviewed the penalty for hate speech in Nigeria.
Mohammed disclosed that the penalty for hate speech has increased from N500,000 to N5 million.
The Minister stated this at the unveiling ceremony of the reviewed Nigeria Broadcasting Code organized by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in Lagos.
He said: “The amended Code also includes the provision raising the fine for hate speech from 500,000 Naira to 5 million Naira.”
Reacting, SERAP in a tweet via its official Twitter handle on Tuesday, described the increase in hate speech fine as ‘unconstitutional and illegal,’ adding that it would further curtail freedom of expression and open the door for law enforcement officials to target critics.
“We’re calling on President Buhari to immediately reverse the unconstitutional and illegal increase in ‘hate speech fine’ from N500,000 to N5m,” SERAP tweeted.
“We’ll fight to challenge this illegality in court to make sure that the fine doesn’t become another tool for repression.
“This fine would further curtail freedom of expression and open the door for law enforcement officials to target critics.
“The fine fails to meet the standards of legality, necessity and proportionality in article 19(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“The Buhari government should be removing restrictions on freedom of expression, not imposing heavy fines that risk stifling critical public debate on important issues.
“The leadership of the National Assembly should publicly condemn this restriction on constitutional rights.”
Mohammed disclosed that the penalty for hate speech has increased from N500,000 to N5 million.
The Minister stated this at the unveiling ceremony of the reviewed Nigeria Broadcasting Code organized by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in Lagos.
He said: “The amended Code also includes the provision raising the fine for hate speech from 500,000 Naira to 5 million Naira.”
Reacting, SERAP in a tweet via its official Twitter handle on Tuesday, described the increase in hate speech fine as ‘unconstitutional and illegal,’ adding that it would further curtail freedom of expression and open the door for law enforcement officials to target critics.
“We’re calling on President Buhari to immediately reverse the unconstitutional and illegal increase in ‘hate speech fine’ from N500,000 to N5m,” SERAP tweeted.
“We’ll fight to challenge this illegality in court to make sure that the fine doesn’t become another tool for repression.
“This fine would further curtail freedom of expression and open the door for law enforcement officials to target critics.
“The fine fails to meet the standards of legality, necessity and proportionality in article 19(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“The Buhari government should be removing restrictions on freedom of expression, not imposing heavy fines that risk stifling critical public debate on important issues.
“The leadership of the National Assembly should publicly condemn this restriction on constitutional rights.”
from dailypost.
Even if they start collecting the monies sef,it is still someone that will possibly pocket it...
Yeye dey smell
ReplyDeleteIt's because of the recent uprising in protests and more.
DeleteThis is a tyrannical government and we are yet to see more of Buharis true colour!
Millitary democrazy!!!
DeleteWhy not tell him to take it off entirely. Was any of those laws passed by any legislation in Nigeria?
ReplyDeleteIt is like asking robbers
not to rob homes but only banks
. There shouldn't be robbery at all
😏😏😏😏
Exactly!
DeleteShaking my head for my country 😔
The medoicres don't want any criticism of ANY kind. I hail our rulers of
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRubbish..that Lie lie man is just clueless
ReplyDeleteI know our President, he will pretend he didn't hear except there is a public outcry and social media noise
ReplyDeleteThe are just treating us as if we are in the military era.Abeg let him finish his tenure and go pls
ReplyDelete