What Senate will do about hate speech writing Bloggers – Shehu Sani Reveals

Shehu Sani, the Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, has said that Senate will make relevant laws that will empower law enforcement agencies clampdown on purveyors of hate speech.

According to him, it could be dangerous to allow security agents decide what constitutes hate speech without any form of legal framework.

In a statement he signed, the Senator explained that though it is right and patriotic to curb the spate hate speech in the country, it is equally important to protect the rights of citizens and organization to freely express themselves.

He said: “The senate will give law enforcement agencies a template on what constitute hate speech; and not just the Police and the military moving about with arrest warrants, handcuffs and torchlights looking for bloggers and other social media enthusiasts who are exercising their rights to free speech.

“Those of us who have been in the struggle during the era of military dictatorship know the implications and the consequences of giving blank cheques to law enforcement agencies.

“We must collectively fight hate speech and collectively save free speech.”

On the establishment of a special court to handle cases of hate speech, the Senator said: “A special court for hate speech is okay and a welcome idea; but it should be a court of law and not a kangaroo tribunal.”