Why Senate threw out the ‘Social Media Bill’, by Umaru

Senator David Umaru

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator David Umaru, has said that the Senate decided to throw out the controversial Frivolous Petition Bill 2016, otherwise known as the ‘Social Media Bill’, in order to ensure that the fundamental human right of freedom of speech of Nigerians as enshrined in the constitution was upheld.

Umaru, who represents Niger East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, told journalists in Minna during an interactive session that the Upper Legislative House was under enormous political pressure to pass the bill into law but took the decision in the interest of Nigerians.
He said: “On May 17, 2016, the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the Frivolous Petition Bill, 2016 (SB 143) was considered by the Senate.

After withstanding enormous political pressure, the committee stood with the people by ensuring that the Fundamental Human Rights of freedom of speech as enshrined in the 1999 constitution was upheld.”