The International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos-Nigeria welcomes the withdrawal of the Frivolous Petitions (prohibition) Bill 2015 and the suspension of all further consideration of the proposed law by the Nigerian Senate.
Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said in a statement today that it was heartwarming that the Senators finally saw reason that a law that seeks to curtail freedom of expression and media freedom is completely antithetical to democratic aspirations and should have no place in any democracy worth the name.
“The passage of the Bill could have caused more harm than good” Mr. Arogundade added.
The IPC Director however called for vigilance saying that a return of the bill or its like through the backdoor cannot be ruled out.
He urged the Senate to focus its attention on more pressing issues such as the fuel crisis, fight against corruption, etc and shun unproductive distractions.
SGD:
Melody Akinjiyan
Safety Alert Desk Officer, IPC
House 11, Dideolu Court, 2nd gate b/stop, Ogba Lagos
Tel: +2348132776441
Email: [email protected]
