The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday moved to tackle the “hate speech” in the country with the reintroduction of a bill which seeks to establish the National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speeches.
When passed into law, the Commission will ensure that offenders are prosecuted.
The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Abdullahi Aliyu Sabi (Niger North) was first introduced in the 8th Senate in 2018 by the same lawmaker prescribing the punishment of death by hanging for offenders.
The proposed law, however, failed to return for second reading because of its “controversial nature” and the public outrage that greeted it.
On Tuesday, Senate reintroduced the proposed law to help tackle the issue of hate speeches in the country.
The Senate’s move comes on the heels of frantic statements by the government to come up with measures to regulate the Social Media which it believes has been a platform for hate speeches in Nigeria.
