SENATE BILL SEEKING 7YRS JAIL FOR SOCIAL MEDIA CRITICS COLLAPSES

The Senate has expunged a clause in a bill that sought to prescribe seven years jail term for social media critics in Nigeria.
Last week, the upper legislative chamber held a public hearing on the proposed legislation which was sponsored by Senator Gbenga Kaka (APC, Ogun).
Speaking to journalists in Abuja yesterday, Senator Kaka said the particular clause which touched on social media has now been expunged from the bill at his instance following pressure from Nigerians.
Senator Kaka argued that the bill was targeting use of internet scam to defraud people will also regulate electronic transfer of funds.
The lawmaker said section 13 sub-section 3 of the bill states which states that: “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 of N5 million,” has now been expunged while all other sections remain.
Source: Daily Trust