Certain rumours have been flying about concerning the Senate’s “Social Media Bill” with certain provisions of the bill unclear to many.

The Presidency of the Senate in a new press statement has clarified certain things about the bill.

Clarification on false claim that Senate passed a bill proposing to jail social media users for two years. The bill being made reference to, is An Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and Other Related Matters, which absolutely makes no mention of jailing social media users.

Senator Na’Allah’s bill seeks to make illegal, the common act of individuals sponsoring frivolous petitions to tarnish/blackmail public servants or political office holders for selfish purposes.

The bill also seeks to make it a requirement for petitioners to depose to an affidavit in court which will must be attached to any petition. Where such petition is discovered to be frivolous, or mischievous or the fact there in are false, the proposed bill makes it a case of perjury which is an offense under the law.

The Deputy Senate leader in his submission expressed concern that with such frivolous petitions, the right of an individual to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court, would have eroded such presumption of innocence as these petitions lead to media trials that hampers the rule of law.

In the developed societies and in particular, the US, if one files a petition with the Federal Bureau of Investigation or any other government agency, aimed at defaming someone, ruining their reputation or family and such petition is discovered to be false, such a person will be held liable and would pay dearly for it.

One can only imagine that if countries allowed dishonest elements to file petitions against their opponents without having to hold them accountable, this will amount to impunity.

Please find attached the lead debate to the said petition.
Signed

Bamikole Omishore
SA New Media
President of The Senate

The Management of Obafemi Awolowo University has suspended the Students’ Union of the School indefinitely.

The University announced the suspension through a circular from the office of the University Registrar, which was pasted round the school yesterday, 3rd December, 2015.

See a photo of the circular below:

Three members of a 5-man robbery gang Tope Oyeleye, aka Elede; Abiola Yekini and Yusuf Olohuntoba, aka Ete , were arrested on Monday by policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of Agbado Police Division.

It was gathered that Elede and Ramoni, had robbed some houses in Owonikoko and Ayinla areas around 2am on Monday, where they stole money and phones, among other household items.

They were said to have met on a street in Ayinla to share their loot when an argument ensued among them over how to share the loot.

A resident on the street reportedly saw them and called the police, who quickly got tot eh area and arrested three of them.

Items recovered from them include 16 phones, one DVD player, two cut-to-size guns with a live cartridge, two spanners, a burglar proof cutter, among others.

Twenty-one-year old Elede, who hails from Ekiti State, confessed to the crime. He said:

“I was initially selling cannabis, but I joined a robbery gang three years ago when I was not making enough money from the drug. We were seven in number bearing Oyenusi; I am Oyenusi 07. We robbed a banker of N7m early this year around RAFCO, Agbado. We killed him because he confronted us. I got N650,000 in that operation. The six others have been killed.

“We were six in the Monday night operation. I was given four phones and a sum of N2,000 as my share. There was an argument between Ramon, Sule, J.J, Absorber and I over the sharing formula. We were on it when the policemen came. Ete was not involved but he is my friend.”

Yekini, a 28-year-old indigene of Ibadan, said:

“I was introduced to the gang by a friend called Anu when I told him I needed N24,000 to pay my shop rent. I tried in vain to borrow the money from my neighbours.

“This is my first operation and my role was to stay outside to watch for other members robbing residents. I collected the four phones and N500 they gave me without arguing with them. I really regret what I did.”

Ete, who is a cobbler, said he was not a robber, adding that he was just a friend of Elede. However, the police said his fate would be determined after the investigation.

The Ogun State Police spokesperson, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrest. He said the suspects would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, for further investigation.

Source: Punch

Anita Oyakhilome, estranged wife of popular pastor, Chris Oyakhilome, has shared an inspirational message for herself and also for her fans.

In the Blog Post, she also thanked God for pulling her out of mess and making her lead a life now free from abuse.

READ ALSO: Anita Oyakhilome Looks Beautiful As She Attends Her Mum’s Birthday Party

“December is the last month of the year I start every month thankful and for this month of December I am eternally grateful.

I am worthy of love, to give and receive. I have value and self-respect, no one has the ability to oppress, suppress or depress me. I am enough and complete in God. My today is better than yesterday.

I have come to a place of wholeness, strength and joy. God pulled me out of mess; I have a happy life free from abuse. No one can take the place of God; he is sovereign and reigns forever.

Man is mortal and his days on earth are numbered. When the end comes, it is a glorious thing to return to our maker, to dwell in His holiness and truth.

The end of the year brings a rebirth of another year. The death of something can be the rebirth of another thing. All is not lost.

Whatever happens in your life, no matter how distressing things might seem. When darkness appears endless, watch out for that tiny spark of light, when you can muster up the courage to thank God for closed doors.

In the process of counting your blessings, you find joy!”.

Anita and Chris Oyakhilome have been separated since last year.

Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has reduced its record fine on MTN From $5.2billion to $3.4 billion dollars shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari met with South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma.

Below is a statement MTN Sent to it’s staff.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reduces imposed fine to US$3.4 billion equivalent and further cautionary announcement.

Shareholders are advised that, after further engagements with the Nigerian Authorities, the NCC has reduced the imposed fine.

MTN has received a formal letter dated 2 December 2015 from the NCC informing the Company that, after considering the Company’s request, it has taken the decision to reduce the fine on the MTN Nigeria business from the original N1,040,000,000,000 (One Trillion, Forty Billion Naira) to N674 Billion Naira which has to be paid by 31 December 2015.

The fine relates to the late disconnecting of 5.1 million MTN Nigeria subscribers in August and September 2015. The Company is carefully considering the NCC’s reply, however the Executive Chairman Phuthuma Nhleko will immediately and urgently re-engage with the Nigerian Authorities before responding formally, as it is essential for the Company to follow due process to ensure the best outcome for the Company, its stakeholders and the Nigerian Authorities and accordingly all factors having a bearing on the situation will be thoroughly and carefully considered before the Company arrives at a final decision.

Shareholders are therefore advised to continue to exercise caution when dealing in the Company’s securities until a further announcement is made.”

As we committed to you previously, and in the spirit of our Vital Behaviour of Complete Candour, we will keep you updated as the matter unfolds. As we enter the busy year-end period in our business, I encourage you to continue focusing on our customers and strive to keep our promise to provide the bold, new Digital World to them.

Regards,
Phuthuma

Chinenye’s mum shares her sad story below:

The prayer of every mother is to train her child and in turn the child trains her when she’s old. That was not to be my case as I watched my little Chineye who had just graduated a month ago dies in my arms owing to the negligence and wickedness of the Indian doctors of Fortis Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Chineye had just graduated from University of Abuja and was preparing for her NYSC but the family had decided that rather than just sit at home before her NYSC call-up, its best she corrects her right limb which was severely shortened after a fall in 2001.

Following the fall in which she broke her femur (thigh bone) she had a surgery which involved the insertation of k-nail (iron) to support the bone. The iron eventually broke into two and a surgery was necessitated to remove the 2 piece of broken iron and correct the short limb that was causing her a lot of pains. . Little did I know that the Indian doctors had planned to kill my dear Chineye or how else should I put it?

After the surgery in India, Chineye was upset, when I asked her why, she raised her fears over the surgery, Dr Gupta the senior consultant removed only one piece of the 2 pieces of previously broken iron in her limb as opposed to the earlier agreement that the two pieces will be removed before conducting the limb lengthening surgery.

When she complained, he assured her that everything will be fine. Shortly after she was discharged, she noticed that the lengthening screw was stiff and complained immediately to the doctors but they informed her that they were looking for the right size of iron for her height.

After 3 days she was forced to go to the hospital. She walked to the dressing room and two other doctors began to attend to her because Dr Gupta was not in the hospital. While they were changing the screw she gasped and suddenly lost consciousness on the dressing table; the doctors wheeled her into the emergency room. Less than an hour after she was wheeled into the dressing room, I was informed that my daughter was dead, I was shocked, I could not believe my ears,I felt the world had come to an end, even in my state of shock the best, the hospital could do was to demand for an additional payment from me as cost of trying to revive Chineye.

When I walked into the room where she laid, I discovered they had already stuffed near nostrils with cotton wool while her body was still very warm, I immediately begged and cried helplessly that they should try to revive her but they heartlessly told me that there was nothing they could do that she had died and had planned to convey her to the mortuary at the time.

Due to my insistence the transport to the hospital was delayed by another two hours during which they blatantly refused to administer any more procedure to revive her.

Dr Gupta latter arrived and told me she died of severe heart attack. Signs of negligence are evident in the preparedness of the surgery, as the first day she was wheeled into the theatre for the surgery it was cancelled and rescheduled because the iron was not the right size for her height even though she has done several physical consultations with Dr Gupta.

Secondly, a review of her medical records reveals that there was no blood thinning medication was prescribed which is necessary for this kind of surgery.

Thirdly, even after the surgery the doctors were still looking for the right size of iron. Fourthly, only one piece of the previously broken iron was removed. Finally, there was no willingness to revive her and they did not show any value for life in the urgency and recklessness with which they declared her dead and hurried her to the mortuary. Since her death Fortis Hospital New Delhi has issued several conflicting statements on the cause of her death which only confirms my fears that Chineye was murdered.

They have refused to release the autopsy result and they still claim to be investigating the cause of death. I have been crying since the 9th of October, 2015.

My heart bleeds and I know Chineye’s soul seeks for justice. I speak as a mother who deserves to know the cause of her daughter’s death. I need the support of every Nigerian in this fight against this murderous act, injustice, oppression and wickedness.

I am helpless but I believe that with God on my side and with the support of Nigerians and the international community by sharing this story until it gets to the relevant authorities, the killers of my daughter will not escape judgement. I have spoken to a couple of Nigerians that have also had unpalatable experiences in their search for medical aid in India.

Many have lost their loved ones and refused to share their story. I have decided to share this story to save more potential lives that will be lost due to medical negligence in Fortis Hospital and create awareness.

Fortis currently has a branch in Abuja, Nigeria. Fortis why did you kill Chineye?

Below is the Bill The Senate & Nigerian Government wants to use to jail social media users.

It’s “A Bill for an Act to Prohibit frivolous Petitions and other Matters Connected therewith, Sponsored by Senator Ibn Na’Allah, APC, Kebbi South.

“Where any person in order to circumvent this law makes any allegation and or publish any statement, petition in any paper, radio, or any medium of whatever description, with malicious intent to discredit or set the public against any person or group of persons, institutions of government, he shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment term of two years or a fine of N4,000,000.00” the bill specified.

On the social media, the bill read:

“Where any person through text message ,tweets, whatsApp or through any social media post any abusive statement knowing same to be false with intent to set the public against any person and group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established by law shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment for two years or a fine of N2,000,000.00 or both fine and imprisonment.”

The bill said it shall be an offence for any petition to be submitted without a sworn affidavit from the court of law.

Press Statement From The Nigerian Military below:

Vigilant troops of 7 Division Garrison providing security at Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, Dalori in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State on Tuesday afternoon apprehended an 11-year-old boy, Master Usman Modu Tella, a potential suicide bomber.

He is suspect number 82 on the poster containing the photographs of 100 wanted suspected Boko Haram terrorists released by the Nigerian Army.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was from Bama town and is among 4 other children trained for suicide bombing by the Boko Haram terrorists.

He further added that the 3 others have already carried out their missions at different locations. His job was to do same in the camp sometime in the future.

The boy also pointed out one other Boko Haram senior member, Alhaji Kerewu Abubakar at the camp. It will be recalled that due to the concerted efforts of the military quite a number of towns and villages hitherto held by the Boko Haram terrorists were liberated, this brought about an unprecedented influx of IDPs to the camp which the terrorists took advantage and infiltrate in order to wreck more havoc among the society.

The case of these suspects clearly indicated this point hence the need for proper screening of all IDPs with a view to ascertain their true identity.

The apprehension of the suspects is a boost to the fight against terrorism and insurgency in that they were assisting with investigation that would lead to the arrest of more suspected terrorists in the camp and elsewhere.

You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your medium. Thank you for your kind and usual cooperation.

Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman
Acting Director Army Public Relations

In December 2013, the Nigerian Senate reached an advanced stage of approval for a bill which proposed the following.

Section 13 subsection 3 of the bill stated that: “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 offence and upon conviction shall be sentenced to seven years imprisonment or N5 million (fine).”

Now, there’s a new Social Media bill making it’s way up to the Senate Approval chain.

The bill, tagged: “A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and other Matters Connected therewith” is sponsored by Senator Ibn Na’Allah, APC, Kebbi South.

What is interesting about the bill is the potential for censorship of free speech including online and via apps such as Whatsapp.

Vanguard outlines the proposed Bill

What Does the Bill Propose?
The bill provides for an option of N4 million for persons convicted of false newspaper, radio and television statements and N2 million for offenders of false phone text messages or messages on Facebook, twitter, Instagram, or WhatsApp.

“Where any person in order to circumvent this law makes any allegation and or publish any statement, petition in any paper, radio, or any medium of whatever description, with malicious intent to discredit or set the public against any person or group of persons, institutions of government, he shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment term of two years or a fine of N4,000,000.00”,the bill specified.

On the social media, the bill read: “Where any person through text message, tweets, WhatsApp or through any social media post any abusive statement knowing same to be false with intent to set the public against any person and group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established by law shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment for two years or a fine of N2,000,000.00 or both fine and imprisonment.”

What Will be Done to Deter Abuse of the Bill
The bill said it shall be an offence for any petition to be submitted without a sworn affidavit from the law court.
“Not withstanding anything contained in any law, it shall be an unlawful to submit any petition, statement intended to report the conduct of any person for the purpose of an investigation, inquiry and or inquest without a duly sworn affidavit in the High Court of a state or the Federal High Court confirming the content to be true and correct and in accordance with the Oaths Act.

“Any petition and or complains not accompanied by a sworn affidavit shall be incompetent and shall not be used by any government institution, agency or bodies established by any law for the time being enforced in Nigeria.

“Any person who unlawfully uses, publish or cause to be published any petition, complaint not supported by a dully sworn affidavit shall be deemed to have committed an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment for six months without an option of fine.

“Any person who acts, uses, or cause to be used any petition or complaints not accompanied by dully sworn affidavit shall be deemed to have committed an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment for a term of two years or a fine of N200,000.00 or both, “the petition read.

Follow the Session on the Bill Yesterday via Tweets