The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Mohammed, has expressed support for the media repression bill under Senate review, also known as “Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and Other Matters.”
The bill which carries a two-year jail term with it and up to a N2 million fine has been opposed by civil society groups and online activists, arguing that it intended to gag media and free speech.
Senator Ibn Na’Allah who proposed the bill in question, has stated his unwavering support for the bill.
“I sponsored the bill to sanitize information flow in the social media. The social media is a very valuable platform for dissemination of information and it has helped this country greatly but of recent we have seen some few ‘bad eggs’ who have turned it into a business venture,” he disclosed to news reporters.
At a public forum, Justice Mahmud Mohammed also endorsed the bill, claiming that privileges should be safeguarded against frivolous abuse.
His comment is coming at a time when the country’s judiciary is under the spotlight of the media for corrupt activities. Judges and justices have been embroiled in scandal and accused of taking money to deliver specific judgments.
After the public forum, the Senate is expected to discuss the bill extensively and either make revisions or vote on it.