Senate Bill Proposes 10 years Jail for Hate Speech

Hate speech purveyors are to be jailed for 10 years, fined N20 million or both, according to a bill passed on Tuesday by the Senate. It also prescribes 20 years jail term without the option of a fine for any person who propagates information that undermines the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, or unity of the federation.

These provisions are contained in the bill which seeks to establish the “Electoral Offence Commission and for other related matters 2021”.

“Any person who uses hate speech to stir up ethnic, religious or racial hatred, social or political, insecurity or violence, against anyone or group or person”, is liable to 10 years in jail or N20 million fine or both, the bill proposed.

The Hate Speech Bill introduced last year by lawmakers was shot down by protestation from across sectors of Nigerians.

It has now found its way back through the Electoral Offences Commission.

Tuesday’s passage of the bill followed the consideration of the report of the Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).