” I Have No Connection With Hate Speech Bill”—-Lai Mohammed Cries Out

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has debunked insinuations over allegation of  masterminding the “Hate Speech Bill ” currently at the National Assembly.

Speaking with newsmen on Monday in Lagos, the Min­ister said the allegation made against him by Sen. Francis Fadahunsi repre­senting Osun East Senato­rial District, “is fake news”.

The Minister said “You must have read the fake news attributed to Sen. Fadahunsi that I am behind the Hate Speech Bill at the National Assem­bly, and that the senator who is sponsoring the bill is fronting for me.

” I m not the sponsor of the Hate Speech Bill at the National Assembly. Howev­er, I remain committed to sanitising the social media.

“I have said that all stakeholders will be in­volved in determining the modalities for regulating the social media,” the min­ister said.

Fadahunsi had alleged that the minister was be­hind “the bill aimed at crippling quality and vi­brant journalism”.

The lawmaker made the allegation while speaking with journalists in Osogbo.

Fadahunsi accused Lai Mohammed of being behind the controversial hate speech bill being considered for passage into law by the National Assembly.

It was reported that though the hate speech bill is being sponsored by Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, representing Niger North, Senator Fadahunsi alleged that Mohammed is the mastermind behind it.

Senator Fadahunsi said the bill was aimed at crippling quality journalism,calling on journalists and media practitioners generally to rise up against the bill and ensure it is not passed into law.