During the public hearing organised on Monday by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the Bill for the Prevention of Internet Falsehood and Manipulations; And Related Matters Bill, otherwise known as the Social Media Bill, viewers watching the proceedings live on AIT were stunned to hear a private conversation live on air between the Senate Committee members.
Chairman of the Senate Committee Chairman of the Senate Committee, Opeyemi Bamidele appreciated AIT for the live coverage of the proceedings, however the sponsor of the bill, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa was scheming with the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan for the Sergeant-At-Arms to get AIT cameras out and stop the live coverage.
Unknown to the senators, the AIT microphone placed by the Chairman of the Committee was switched on and broadcasting live to Nigerians.
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In an embarrassing moment caught live on air, the Committee Chairman is overheard telling his colleagues that it is too late as anything they say now will be in the full glare of cameras and before Nigerians.
When put under further pressure he explains that AIT had written to the Clerk of the National Assembly who had granted approval for the live transmission and it was too late to ask them to leave now. He says he will deal with the Chief of Staff later as he requests his colleagues to arrange for a copy of the approval from the Clerk.
