Nigerian Senate seeks 7 year jail term for social media critics?

According to a report by Daily Trust, the Nigerian Senate is set to pass law seeking 7 year jail term for social media critics.

The newspaper reports that the Senate has reached an
advanced stage to pass a bill that seeks seven years jail term
for social media critics found guilty of inciting the public
against the government.

The proposed legislation which has scaled second reading in
the upper legislative chamber is also proposing a stiffer
punishment for internet fraudsters and scammers in Nigeria as
those convicted will face a seven years imprisonment.

"Anyone who intentionally propagates false information
that could threaten the security of the country or that is
capable of inciting the general public against the
government through electronic message shall be guilty of
an offense and upon conviction shall be sentenced to
seven years imprisonment or N5 million (fine)." Section
13 subsection 3 of the bill proposes

The joint Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and
legal matters, Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes led by
Senator Umaru Dahiru (PDP, Sokoto), yesterday organised a
one day public hearing on the bill for an act to provide for the
prohibition and punishment for electronic fraud and crime in
all electronic transactions in Nigeria.

Declaring open the public hearing Senate President David
Mark who was represented by the deputy minority whip,
Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC, Katsina), said electronic
fraudsters pose great danger to the country which must be
tackled to attract foreign investment.

The committee chairman Senator Umaru Dahiru (PDP,
Sokoto) said electronic fraud was posing serious threat to
world economies and Nigeria being a developing economy
should enact appropriate laws to deal with the challenges.

Via: Daily Trust