The Inspector General of Police
(IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has warned that hate speech offenders risk 10 years jail
time and N25 million fine, on conviction.
Idris gave the warning on
Tuesday, September 12, during a round-table discussion organised by the
National Orientation Agency (NOA), in Abuja for bloggers, online publishers,
social media influencers and the traditional media, on the dangers of the
current spate of hate speeches in the country.
The police boss explained that
the military cannot dabble into the enforcement of cybercrime act 2015, which
the executive has categorised as “hate speech” because the enforcement of the
law is not within the military’s purview, The Sun reports.
Idris, who was represented by Mr.
London Joseph, urged Nigerians to be mindful of sections 24 and 26 of the act.
He reminded social media
operators that an offender, on conviction risks imprisonment for 10 years or a
minimum fine of 25m.
The police boss noted that in
some cases, the 10 years imprisonment and the minimum fine of 25m could be
imposed on an offender at the same time.
Meanwhile, ahead of the forthcoming elections,
the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says it will impose heavy sanctions
on broadcast stations which promote hate speeches.
The director general of the commission, Mr
Is’haq Kawu, said this on Thursday, August 31, in Enugu at the inauguration of
Family Love FM 99.9 at the European Quarters in Ngwo.
Kawu was represented at the event
by a director in the commission, Mr Armstrong Idachaba, the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) reports.
He said that the commission had
taken note of hate speeches from some part of the country, adding that it would
guard against its infiltration in the broadcast industry.
Kawu said that the broadcast
industry had witnessed tremendous growth in the last few years owing to the
complete deregulation of the sector.
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Define what you mean by hate speech, please.
ReplyDeleteReally we need to know them
ReplyDeleteCan you differentiate the meaning of hate speeches and freedom of speech ? Ewu
ReplyDeleteWhat is hate speech??? AREWA YOUTH is the first offenders and nothing was done up till now. Nigeria Government,How long can you be leaving in darkness.
ReplyDeleteIf you are sincere, can you tell me which news radio biafra have been casting from 2015 up to date????
ReplyDeleteNonsense
ReplyDelete