Christian Lawyers Task FG Over Anti Social Media Bill
By Our Correspondent
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) rose from their President – in- council meeting in Abeokuta, Ogun State with a call on the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal government to stop the attempt to muzzle the media through the planned social media bill.
According to the lawyers there is enough legislation on ground to guide the usage of the media space and asked the federal government to stop their draconian approach to the issue.
A communique after the meeting made available to newsweb in Kaduna and jointly signed by Arome Okwori and Tunji Omole, National President and National Secretary of CLASFON respectively also called on government to put in place mechanism to stop the rampaging insecurity in the country.
The 2-day meeting had in attendance National Officers and the representatives of the Branches and presided over by the National President resolves that, “CLASFON observes with grave displeasure the attempt by the Federal Government to muzzle freedom of speech by its purported attempt to regulate the activities on the social media given the fact that we have enough legislation to check the abuse of free speech through legal processes such as libel and defamation suit.
“We, therefore, call on the Federal Government to desist from this draconian approach against the Nigerian people.”
Other resolutions reached says “CLASFON views with dismay the daily rising tide of insecurity in the Country. It is glaring that Judges, lawyers and other law enforcement officers are now endangered species and have become easy prey to kidnappers. CLASFON, therefore, calls on the Federal Government to take seriously the issue of security and ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians particularly the Judges as it is the primary duty of any responsible government.
“CLASFON frowns at the way and manner multiple taxes, rates and charges are being imposed on the already impoverished citizens of Nigeria and hereby call on the Federal Government to reverse this ugly trend and mitigate the hardship on Nigerians.
” CLASFON views with dismay, the high-handedness and illegal activities of Nigerian Customs Service officials on Nigerian roads and their illegal raids of some premises, thus portraying Nigeria as a lawless nation. We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to call them to order and demand that they discharge their duty professionally and in line with the statutes establishing the organization.”
However “CLASFON commends, in particular, the government of Ogun State and other States of the Federation who have created an enabling environment for the Judiciary in terms of infrastructure and personal welfare of the judicial officers, thereby enhancing justice delivery.
“CLASFON encourages other States of the Federation to emulate this gesture, as most of the court buildings throughout the Nation are in a pitiable and sorry state and the welfare of Magistrates and Judges is very deplorable.
“CLASFON, therefore, calls on the Federal and State governments to declare a State of Emergency on the welfare of the judicial officers, funding for State Judiciaries and working environment for the administration of justice nationwide.”
