International Press Centre (IPC) has warned the Nigerian Senate against passing a bill before it which prescribes death sentence for ‘hate speech.’ The Centre in a statement signed by its chairman in Lagos, Lanre Arogundade, cautioned that the bill if passed, would take away the right of Nigerians to freedom of expression as stated by the country’s constitution. In the statement, Arogundade further advised that national assembly convenes a meeting with stakeholders to determine what could be regarded as hate speech.
Arogundade added that the bill would pose a threat to freedom of expression as well as freedom of the press and safety of journalists in the country if passed into law.
Speaking further he said, “Much as we do not welcome hate speech, we do not also welcome a law that would gag citizens and deny the public the right to know.”
Arogundade, who is a veteran journalist, called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to release Tony Ezimakor, a journalist, who has been in its detention since last Wednesday.
While affirming the illegality of continuous detention of Ezimakor, Arogundade asked the DSS to charge him to court if they are convinced he has acted against the law.
Ezimakor, who is Abuja Bureau Chief of Daily Independent, was arrested for an article he wrote which he claimed negotiations for the release of hostages for cash being handled by the DSS activities is responsible for worsening Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.
He was invited by the DSS on Wednesday, February 28, 2017, and has since been held by the security agency.
Adapted from SaharaReporters.com
