Hate speech bill sponsor bows to pressure, to removed death penalty from bill

The sponsor of the Hate Speech Bill at the Senate, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, has bowed to public criticism of the bill and  expressed his readiness to expunge the clause that  provided for death by hanging as the ultimate penalty for violators of the bill.

The 26-page bill which scaled first reading at Senate plenary early this month stipulates various jail terms including death by hanging  by violators of the provisions of the  bill cited as Independent National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speeches (Est,etc) Bill 2019.

Senator Abdullahi, who is the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, in a statement  on Sunday, said be was ready to canvass for the amendment of the death penalty penalty proposed for anyone found culpable of hate speech that leads to the death of another, when the bill is subjected to legislative input by the upper legislative chamber.


The bill sponsor stated: “We have followed closely arguments for and against the hate speech bill, and seen the reason why some kicked against it.

“Given the high respect which we have for Nigerians, we will make amendment to the death penalty aspect that most Nigerians objected to, so that a bill that meets their expectations is passed into law.

“Clearly from the conversations, Nigerians agree that we have a problem in the society today as a result of hate speech which has fueled so many killings and violence, and is responsible for cases of depression and suicides.”

According  to him, the bill will undergo some fine-tuning to ensure that the clauses contained in its provisions to be passed into law reflect the views of Nigerians.

He added that the Senate welcomes contributions and inputs by critics and supporters of the bill, as these would go a long way towards giving Nigerians the much awaited law to address the disturbing trend of hate speech.