Jennifer Yusuf
Amidst controversy that has trailed the ‘Prohibition of Hate Speech Bill’ being considered in the Senate chamber of the National Assembly, the upper legislative chamber has hinted that the death penalty aspect of the bill will be amended in line with the wishes of Nigerians.
It would be recalled that the controversial Bill has passed through second reading in the Senate preparatory for its final passage into law.
However, the sponsor of the Bill, Senator Sabi Abdullahi said the Bill will undergo some fine-tuning to reflect the views of Nigerians especially the area that recommended the death penalty for defaulters.
In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, Senator Abdullahi said that the Senate will accept contributions and input from critics and supporters of the bill, saying such will go a long way in giving Nigerians the law that will address the “disturbing trend” of hate speech.
It would also be recalled that Section 4 (2) of the proposed bill provides that any person found guilty of hate speech shall be liable to life imprisonment and where the act causes any loss of life, the person shall be punished through death by hanging.
Shortly after the introduction of the Bill in the Senate, Civil society groups and human rights activists rejected it, describing the Bill as an attempt to suppress the people and stifle freedom of speech.
Giving reasons why he had to reintroduce the bill which was rejected during the 8th Assembly, Senator Abdullahi explained that hate speech has led to the death of many and is a major factor behind depression and suicide in Nigeria.
“We have followed closely arguments for and against the hate speech bill, and seen the reason why some kicked against it. Given the high respect which we have for Nigerians, we will make an amendment to the death penalty aspect that most Nigerians objected to so that a bill that meets their expectations is passed into law.
“Clearly from the conversations, Nigerians agree that we have a problem in the society today as a result of hate speech which has fueled so many killings and violence, and is responsible for cases of depression and suicides”, he stated.
Senator Abdullahi cited a World Health Organisation report which said that Nigeria is the seventh-largest country in the world and “has Africa’s highest rate of depression and ranks fifth in the world frequency of suicide.”
The federal lawmaker added that the Independent National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speech to be established will guard against every act of discrimination against Nigerians by way of victimisation.
The commission, according to Abdullahi, will have an executive chairperson, a secretary and 12 commissioners appointed through a rigorous process involving the National Council of State, the President and the National Assembly.
“The bill provides that those qualified to be appointed as members of the Commission must not be: members of the National Assembly or any government in authority at the local, state or federal levels,” he said.
Speaking further, Senator Abdullahi added that any person, who is a member of any political party or known to be affiliated with partisan politics or has promoted sectional, ethnic, religious causes or openly advocated partisan ethnic positions or interest, stands disqualified from being appointed to serve on the Commission.
“The overall concern is to curb violence and unnecessary loss of lives and livelihoods of Nigerians due to hate-induced violence,” he added.
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