Senate President Denies Claims They Are Passing A Bill To Gag The Media

The office of the senate president has released a statement on the recent bill proposed by Senator Ibn Na’Allah quashing claims as earlier reported that he passed a bill seeking to gag media, journalists, reporters etc.

The statement says, the bill only seeks as a requirement, that petitioners depose to an affidavit in court which must be attached to any petition. Where such petition is discovered to be frivolous, not investigated or discovered to be a deliberate attempt to defamation of one’s character, or the fact that its false, the proposed bill makes it a case of perjury which is punishable under the law.

Its a welcome development of course, as it will amount to impunity if a country like Nigeria were to allow dishonest elements to file petitions against other persons, groups, competitors, opponents etc, without having to hold them accountable.

Below is an attachment of the debate;

Signed

Bamikole Omishore
SA New Media
President of The Senate