JAIL TERM FOR ABUSIVE STATEMENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

A two-year jail term bill  of abusive or derogatory statements on social or electronic media against organizations, individuals, government or its officials yesterday passed second reading in the Senate.

It was  prescribed in the bill that individuals or group(s) who circulate any kind of false message through texts or social media against a third party will face two year jail term if found guilty by the court.

The bill however made a provisions for options of fine if convicted  and found guilty by the court of law- N2 million for false phone texts  offenders; N4 million if convicted for publishing/spreading false information in the newspaper, radio, television, facebook, twitter, Instagram, or watsapp.

Also, it was stated that submission of a sworn affidavit from the High Court of either  the State or Federal is a requirement before submitting a petition against another person and it shall be unlawful to submit a petition for the purpose of investigating another person without a sworn affidavit confirming the contents of the petitions to be true; otherwise the petition shall be incompetent and such will not be used by any institutions, Government body or its agencies .

According to the petition, “Any person who unlawfully uses, publish or cause to be published any petition, complaint not supported by a dully sworn affidavit shall be deemed to have committed an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment for six months without an option of fine."

Also,“Any person who acts, uses, or cause to be used any petition or complaints not accompanied by dully sworn affidavit shall be deemed to have committed an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment for a term of two years or a fine of N200,000.00 or both,"