Senator Nicholas Tofowomo representing Ondo South at the 9th Assembly, has described the ‘Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulations Bill 2019’ as unnecessary and duplication of law for Nigerians.
The Senator, currently recuperating from a ghastly accident and have been unable to attend plenary said that the aims and objectives of the new bill have already been addressed by the Cybercrime Act 2015 which was signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Senator on Media, Pastor Olumide Akinrinlola, also said that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guaranteed freedom of expression as a fundamental right of the people with relevant provisions for the restrictions and derogation from such rights.
He, therefore, called on Nigerians to follow due process by airing their views at the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, whenever a date is fixed instead of complaining about the new bill on social media.
”The Cybercrime Act which was signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan has addressed internet usage and safety with regards to prevention, prohibition, combating cybercrimes and threats to the cyberspaces. It also prescribes the punishments cybercrime offenders should face in Nigeria.”
”The Nigerian Constitution which also guaranteed freedom of expression as a fundamental right also made relevant provisions for the restrictions and derogation from such rights. So, the aims and objectives of this new bill, ”the Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulations Bill 2019,” have already been addressed by both the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Cybercrime Act 2015.”
”I, therefore enjoin Nigerians to follow the due process by attending the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to present their petitions and air their views in the appropriate place where their voice could be heard instead of complaining on social media”, the senator said.
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