• About
  • Advertise With Us
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
Monday, September 25, 2023
  • Login
Jungle Journalist Media Limited
  • NEWS
  • POLITICS
  • ECONOMY & BUSINESS
  • GAMES & SPORTS
  • EDUCATION
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • HEALTH & FOOD
  • NIGER DELTA
  • SECURITY / MILITARY
No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
  • POLITICS
  • ECONOMY & BUSINESS
  • GAMES & SPORTS
  • EDUCATION
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • HEALTH & FOOD
  • NIGER DELTA
  • SECURITY / MILITARY
No Result
View All Result
Jungle Journalist Media Limited
No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
  • POLITICS
  • ECONOMY & BUSINESS
  • GAMES & SPORTS
  • EDUCATION
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • HEALTH & FOOD
  • NIGER DELTA
  • SECURITY / MILITARY

Home » NEWS » POLICE / CRIME » Proposed bill classifying hate speech as electoral offence, anti-democratic — HURIWA


Proposed bill classifying hate speech as electoral offence, anti-democratic — HURIWA

by Jungle Journalist
August 27, 2022
0
SHARES
4
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsApp

A civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has kicked against a bill in the House of Representatives which seeks to classify hate speech as an electoral offence with a 10-year jail term and N40m fine.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement on Friday, August 26, 2022, described as undemocratic and unconstitutional, the aspect of the bill also seeking to establish a National Electoral Offences Commission.

The group said sponsors of the bill seek to muzzle free speech, describing them as enemies of democracy who have been clandestinely and openly pushing anti-press laws and moves to stifle free speech in the country of late.

Recall that the House of Representatives’ Committee on Electoral Matters held a public hearing on the Bill for an Act to Establish the National Electoral Offences Commission and for Related Matters 2022 in Abuja on last Tuesday.

Under Part IV of the bill, titled “Electoral Offences,” Clause 32, which has an explanatory note “Prohibition of hate speech,” criminalises speeches that could spark violence.

The clause partly read, “(1) A person who, in the course of politics or elections, uses or directs the use of threatening words, behaviour or action, or displays or directs the display of any written material which is threatening or incites violence, is guilty of an offence if — (a) he/she intends thereby to stir up ethnic, religious, or racial hatred, social or political insecurity or violence against anyone or group of persons; or (b) having regard to all the circumstances, ethnic, religious, or racial hatred or social or political insecurity or violence is likely to be stirred up thereby.

“Subjective descriptions of a person’s actions or behaviour, however abhorrent, crass or objectionable, may not be considered an attempt to spread hate unless the motive is clearly defined as such.

“(2) Any person who commits offence under sub-clause (1) of this clause shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term of at least 10 years or a fine of at least N40,000,000, or both.”

Commenting on the bill, Onwubiko said: “The‘Bill for an Act to Establish the National Electoral Offences Commission and for Related Matters 2022 is germane and generally acceptable but the obnoxious provision therein is counter-productive, undemocratic and unconstitutional and therefore null, void and of no moment and should be discarded and the sponsor named, shamed as enemy of free speech and hater of constitutional democracy.

“That provision in the fresh bill is another way of trying to stifle press freedom and freedom of speech in the country. It is not surprising that many media moguls such as former Editor-In-Chief of Newswatch Magazine, Ray Ekpu; two-term President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Gbenga Adefaye; as well as Nigerian Guild of Editors’ President, Mustapha Isah, have all accused the regime of the President Muhammadu Buhari (retd), of secretly bringing back the infamous Decree 4 of 1984, enacted during the dark days of military rule through cronies in the National Assembly and Minister of Information of Culture, Lai Mohammed.

“The current regime has tried in so many ways to unconstitutionally stifle free speech. The Information Minister had characteristically suspended Twitter in Nigeria on June 4, 2021 for many months till January 12, 2022. Mohammed also lobbied the House of Representatives to pass laws regulating internet broadcasting and social media in Nigeria. The Buhari regime also sought to amend the Nigerian Press Council Act and the National Broadcasting Commission Act in the National Assembly to have more control over the press.

“Of recent, the National Broadcasting Commission under the purview of the Information Minister, moved to shut down 52 broadcast stations under the guise of debts but Nigerians can see through the shenanigans of the federal government which has the two legislative arms at its armpit as members of the All Progressives Congress.

“The proposed bill tagging hate speech electoral offence is not only anti-democratic but oppressive. The criminalization of free speech is antiquated and only belongs to repressive military regime.

“The present rulers of Nigeria must realise that the game of military subjugation is over. Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria guarantees freedom of expression as a fundamental right.

“The new bill by the House of Representatives belongs to the canals and not to a decent society. It must never make it into an act. All lovers of democracy must reject it.”

ReadAlso

Rights group blasts S/East governors for keeping mum over Nnamdi Kanu’s predicament

Tags: Electoral offenceHate speechHURIWA
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Abia Is 31 Years Old! See Full Speech Of Gov Ikpeazu To Mark Anniversary

Next Post


Minimum wage: Enugu teachers finally suspend indefinite strike

You MayAlso Like

NATIONAL

Enugu APC youth wing agog as top activist Odogwu Na Nkanu joins with thousands of youths 

September 25, 2023
EDUCATION

We didn’t ask lawyer to breach Consent Judgment between Tansian University and Chief Ezeonwuka Tansian Varsity owners 

September 25, 2023
NATIONAL

‘I’m sorry’ — Edo Deputy Gov Phillip Shaibu begs Obaseki for forgiveness

September 22, 2023
NATIONAL

Labour Party’s Candidate Edeoga Rejects Tribunal Judgment Affirming Mbah as Enugu Governor

September 22, 2023
BUILDING & PROPERTIES

Nigeria Nyesom Wike Revokes Peter Obi’s Plot, 167 Others In Abuja 

September 22, 2023
NATIONAL

Abia Govt Serves Perm Secs, Directors, Retirement Notice 

September 22, 2023
Next Post


Minimum wage: Enugu teachers finally suspend indefinite strike

Discussion about this post

Recent Posts

  • Enugu APC youth wing agog as top activist Odogwu Na Nkanu joins with thousands of youths 
  • We didn’t ask lawyer to breach Consent Judgment between Tansian University and Chief Ezeonwuka Tansian Varsity owners 
  • ‘I’m sorry’ — Edo Deputy Gov Phillip Shaibu begs Obaseki for forgiveness
  • Labour Party’s Candidate Edeoga Rejects Tribunal Judgment Affirming Mbah as Enugu Governor
  • Nigeria Nyesom Wike Revokes Peter Obi’s Plot, 167 Others In Abuja 
ADVERTISEMENT

Recent Comments

  • Ogbuenyi Sunday on Anambra police arrest river-bathing prophet ‘Onye Eze Jesus’
  • Stephen CE on List of international stars who have joined #EndSARS/#EndSWAT and what they said

Trending

BREAKING: Enugu Governorship Tribunal Dismisses Chijioke Edeoga’s Petitions Against Peter Mbah 


Proposed bill classifying hate speech as electoral offence, anti-democratic — HURIWA

More Troubles For Tansian University As Turkey Contractor Says School Duped Him Of ₦430m

Breaking: Chijioke Edeoga congratulates Gov Mbah after Tribunal defeat

ADVERTISEMENT

SEE VIDEO: Ikorodu Boys Allegedly Burn Down Naira Marley’s House Over Mohbad’s Death

ENUGU: Comm For Lands Inaugurates Committee On Illegal Structures, Open Spaces, Unmonetized Properties/Houses 

Why I will sustain my beard, dreadlocks, earrings as head of church — Pastor Jimmy Odukoya

Protesters hit the streets in 3 states over Mohbad’s death

CSO accuses opposition of sponsoring fake news about kidnapping in Enugu

Sit-at-home: Police, soldiers kill 6 suspected IPOB, ESN men in Enugu & Abia 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Popular Stories

    • BREAKING: Gunmen Take Over Onitsha-Owerri Road, Set Over 10 Vehicles, Goods Worth Billions Ablaze

      2734 shares
      Share 1094 Tweet 684
    • JUST IN: CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele sacked

      1809 shares
      Share 724 Tweet 452
    • BREAKING: Finland police arrests Simon Ekpa 

      999 shares
      Share 400 Tweet 250
    • BREAKING: IReV Portal Shows Labour Party Won 19 States Plus FCT, PDP 8, APC 7, NNPP 2 States—Baba-Ahmed

      643 shares
      Share 257 Tweet 161
    • NEWS FLASH: Peter Mbah of PDP cruising to victory, wins 14 LGAs in Enugu guber polls 

      530 shares
      Share 212 Tweet 133
    • JUST IN: Daughter of Benin billionaire/CEO of Uyi Technical commits suicide

      482 shares
      Share 193 Tweet 121

    ABOUT US

    Jungle Journalist Media Limited

    Jungle Journalist Media Limited

    Jungle Journalist is an online news and information resource centre dedicated to accurate and timely news reports.

    Read More >>

    CONNECT WITH US

    SECTIONS

    • AGRICULTURE
    • BIZARRE
    • BREAKING
    • BUILDING & PROPERTIES
    • COLUMNIST
    • COMMUNITY REPORTS
    • ECONOMY & BUSINESS
    • EDUCATION
    • ELECTRICITY
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • GAMES & SPORTS
    • HEALTH & FOOD
    • HOLIDAYS
    • INDIGENOUS REPORTS
    • INTERNATIONAL / DIASPORA
    • LAW & HUMAN RIGHTS
    • LEGISLATION
    • MEDIA INDUSTRY
    • MONEY & BANKING
    • NATIONAL
    • NEWS
    • NIGER DELTA
    • NORTH
    • OBITUARY
    • OIL & GAS
    • OPINION
    • PHOTOS / VIDEOS
    • POLICE / CRIME
    • POLITICS
    • RELIGION & WORSHIP
    • SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY
    • SECURITY / MILITARY
    • SOCIAL MEDIA
    • SOUTH-EAST
    • SOUTH-SOUTH
    • SOUTH-WEST
    • TRADITION & CULTURE
    • TRANSPORT & AVIATION
    • WOMEN & CHILDREN
    • YOUTH
    No Result
    View All Result

    NEWS SOURCES

  • Punch
  • Nigerian Tribune
  • The Nation
  • Thisday
  • DailyTrust
  • The Sun
  • Daily Independent
  • PM News
  • Vanguard
  • Premium Times
  • Sahara Reporters
  • The Guardian
  • Leadership
  • Daily Times Of Nigeria
    • About
    • Advertise With Us
    • Privacy Policy

    © 2021 Jungle Journalist Media Limited - Web Designed by AfeesHost.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • NEWS
    • POLITICS
    • ECONOMY & BUSINESS
    • GAMES & SPORTS
    • EDUCATION
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • HEALTH & FOOD
    • NIGER DELTA
    • SECURITY / MILITARY

    © 2021 Jungle Journalist Media Limited - Web Designed by AfeesHost.

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password?

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In