Tuesday 3 December 2013

Nigerian Senate seeks 7 year jail term for social media critics?

Is this story for real? According to a report by Daily Trust, the Nigerian Senate is set to pass law seeking 7 year jail term for social media critics.

The newspaper reports that the Senate has reached an advanced stage to pass a bill that seeks seven years jail term for social media critics found guilty of inciting the public against the government. 

The proposed legislation which has scaled second reading in the upper legislative chamber is also proposing a stiffer punishment for internet fraudsters and scammers in Nigeria as those convicted will face a seven years imprisonment. 
“Anyone who intentionally propagates false information that could threaten the security of the country or that is capable of inciting the general public against the government through electronic message shall be guilty of an offense and upon conviction shall be sentenced to seven years imprisonment or N5 million (fine).” Section 13 subsection 3 of the bill proposes
Say what?