–Jonah Favour
The Deputy Whip of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said the death penalty sentence for likely offenders of the hate speech bill will be removed.
The sponsor of the bill, Senator Abdullahi, made this statement on Sunday in Abuja, after the outburst of negative response from Nigerians against the entirety of the bill.
Abdullahi said the proposed death penalty – after much consideration – would be amended by the senate when the members of the national assembly meet for a deliberation assuring that the bill will be drafted out in such a way that the views of the general public will be put into consideration.
“Given the high respect we have for Nigerians, we will make amendment to the death penalty aspect that most Nigerians objected to, so that a bill meets their expectations is passed into law,” he said.
He alleged that the issue of hate speeches in the country has led to the death of many Nigerians.
“From the conversation, Nigerians agree that we have a problem today as a result of hate speech which has fueled so many killings and violence and is responsible for cases of depression and suicide,” he said
Abdullahi said in the enactment of the bill, an Independent National Commission would be established for the Prohibition of Hate Speech, and this would act as a guard against any form of discrimination in form of victimization on any Nigerian.
According to the senator, in order to protect the independence of the commission, the bill stipulates that for anyone to be qualified as a member of the commission, the individual must not be a member of the national assembly or any government in authority at the local, state or federal level.
The Deputy Whip of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said the death penalty sentence for likely offenders of the hate speech bill will be removed.
The sponsor of the bill, Senator Abdullahi, made this statement on Sunday in Abuja, after the outburst of negative response from Nigerians against the entirety of the bill.
Abdullahi said the proposed death penalty – after much consideration – would be amended by the senate when the members of the national assembly meet for a deliberation assuring that the bill will be drafted out in such a way that the views of the general public will be put into consideration.
“Given the high respect we have for Nigerians, we will make amendment to the death penalty aspect that most Nigerians objected to, so that a bill meets their expectations is passed into law,” he said.
He alleged that the issue of hate speeches in the country has led to the death of many Nigerians.
“From the conversation, Nigerians agree that we have a problem today as a result of hate speech which has fueled so many killings and violence and is responsible for cases of depression and suicide,” he said
Abdullahi said in the enactment of the bill, an Independent National Commission would be established for the Prohibition of Hate Speech, and this would act as a guard against any form of discrimination in form of victimization on any Nigerian.
According to the senator, in order to protect the independence of the commission, the bill stipulates that for anyone to be qualified as a member of the commission, the individual must not be a member of the national assembly or any government in authority at the local, state or federal level.
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