SENATOR Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka from Ogun State has explained that the
bill on electronic fraud and electronic fund transfer now before the
National Assembly is not meant to gag Nigerians and the media criticism
of the government as being perceived in some quarters.
The Bill for an Act to Provide for Prohibition and Punishment for
Electronic Fraud and Electronic Transfer of Funds in Nigeria And Other
Related Matters 2013” being sponsored by Kaka and 31 other senators is
reported to be awaiting Third Reading.
Section 13 subsection 3 of the bill proposes 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).”
Kaka said there is nothing in the bill to suggest an attempt to gag Nigerians.
The senator said: “The provisions in the bill are proposals to ensure
the cyber space is positively utilised for the economic and social
development and growth of the nation.
“It is an individual bill with clear intent to provide for the
prohibition and punishment for all fraudulent electronic transactions
and electronic funds transfer crimes in Nigeria and other related
matters.”
He said members of the public sitting at the Senate Joint committee
are expected to reshape the bill by way of contributions, criticism and
discussions to further enrich it before it becomes a law.
“Therefore any unacceptable clause(s) in the proposed bill shall be
expunged, re-worded, or replaced to make the bill acceptable to the
generality of Nigerians.”
He therefore called on Nigerians to participate in the process in
order to arrive at a law that would serve the interest of everyone.
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