TheCable

Some citizens converged on the premises of the national assembly in Abuja on Wednesday to demand an end to the consideration of social media and hate speech bills. 

The Centre for Liberty, which led the protest, asked the legislature to abide by the wishes of Nigerians and kill the bills.

”Due to the overwhelming rejection of the ‘Protection from Internet Falsehoods and Manipulation and Other Related Matters Bill, 2019,’ also known as the Social Media Bill, during the Public Hearing which held on the said Bill more than four months ago, specifically on March 9, 2020; the Centre for Advancement of Civil Liberties and Development, also known as the Centre for Liberty wishes to further remind and entreat the Senate to abide by the noble wish of the Nigerian people and kill this bill without further delay,” the group said in a statement signed by Raphael Adebayo.

”The people of Nigeria had overwhelmingly rejected and still do overwhelmingly reject this bill, of which retaining it in the record of the Senate with the hope of oxygenating it, will amount to an aberration and a disservice to the people of Nigeria.

”We therefore urge the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and all members of the 9th Senate to immediately commit to the verdict of Nigerians and kill this bill forthwith.”

The group also submitted a protest note to the national assembly outlining its demands.

The bills have generated controversy since they were introduced in 2019.

The social media bill prescribes three years imprisonment for any person who makes false accusations against anyone on the internet while the hate speech bill prescribes death by hanging for any offender who makes ”offensive” speech that results in the death of anyone.

The bills have been criticised as the government’s attempt to stifle free speech.

Below are photos from the protest.