Anti-Frivolity Bill: Cease And Desist, NPAN Tells National Assembly

SAN FRANCISCO, December 08, (THEWILL) – The Newspapers Proprietors Association Of Nigeria (NPAN) Tuesday cautioned the National Assembly to “cease and desist” from considering or passing any laws seeking to abridge the constitutionally guaranteed free speech of Nigerians, saying such laws will not only be unconstitutional but undermine the democratic rights all Nigerians fought for.

A statement signed by NPAN President, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, said: “The attention of the NPAN has been drawn to a so-called Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and Other Matters Connected Therewith currently being considered in the Senate of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The NPAN urges the National Assembly to cease and desist from considering or passing any laws seeking to abridge constitutionally guaranteed free speech as such laws will not only be unconstitutional, they undermine our system of democracy and the rights we all fought for.

“We cannot because of a few irritations on the social media seek to clamp down on the rights of citizens to freely hold and share opinion on any platform. We believe any untruths should be confronted by facts not laws, and indeed the Freedom of Information Act should be enhanced to promote more openness in governance.”