Maybe we should not be too haughty in condescending Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Saka as new and in-depth debate about the law has been tendered by the media office of the Senator.
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Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Saka |
Earlier on today and yesterday, there has been frenzied and mass objection by millions of social network and internet users and equally right so. The law, as was believed was like a gagging order reminiscent of the 'dark military era'. However,
"FOR THE RECORD
Senate Debates Computer Hacking, Anti-419 Law
Fri, 2013-03-01
David Mark, Senate President has restated the commitment of the National Assembly to enact a law that would criminalise computer misuse (hacking) and fraudulent electronic funds transfer, otherwise known as 419.
Mark made this known at the consideration of a bill for an Act to provide for the prohibition and punishment for electronic fraud and crime in all electronic transactions in Nigeria.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Adegbenga Kaka (ACN-Ogun state) and 31 other senators, was read at the Senate chamber for the second time.
However, the bill did not scale the second reading because the lead sponsor did not include the financial implication in accordance with Order 77, Rule 3 of the Senate Standing Orders 2011 (as amended).
Mark, who expressed support for the bill, said: “we should consider this bill and pass it as quickly as possible but the sponsor must state the financial compendium.”
In swift reaction, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba (PDP-Cross River) moved a motion for the bill to be stepped down and be considered for the next legislative day when the sponsor provides the missing information.
Senator Kaka had recalled that the bill was read for the first time in the Senate on July 28, 2011. “The objective of the bill is to make provision for the prohibition and punishment of electronic fraud and crime,” said Kaka.
The senator added that the bill also seeks to prohibit unauthorised access to use any programme or data held in a computer.
Kaka stated that the bill also contains provisions to protect consumer privacy, rights and obligations. “Consumers are not likely to participate in the global market place without assurances that their personal data would be protected.
“We, therefore, need to adopt a flexible and responsive approach to the protection of personal data, including the acceptance of self-regulatory solutions and enact laws that forbid the disclosure of personal data.”
He expressed the hope that the proposed legislation to regulate transfer of money by electronic terminal would spur the growth of e-commerce in Nigeria.
Sen. James Manager (PDP-Delta) recalled that the bill was presented to the last Senate and referred to the Committee on Judiciary after passing through the first and second reading.
Manager, who said he served in that committee said: “a public hearing was conducted on the bill and the committee even travelled to the U.S. because of the bill.”
He however, expressed regrets that the bill did not receive the president’s assent. He stated that no aspect of the country’s judicial system or criminal code captured electronic fraud.
Subsequently, Senator Manager argued that the proposed bill would boost investor’s confidence in the country and appealed to the president to assent to the bill, if passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.
The people now wants the senator to now expunge the anti-people and the anti-free expression of the proposed law which is "Section 13 subsection 3" of the bill which states that: “Anyone who intentionally propagates false information that could threaten the security of the country or that is capable of inciting the general public against the government through electronic message shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction shall be sentenced to 5 years imprisonment or 5 million naira fine.
The sponsor of the bill Senator Kaka has also promised to expedite his oversight responsibility of the bill. He said,
"Thanks for your concern and those of many Nigerians commentators. It is their inalienable right as this proposed bill and any other for that matter are to serve all.
Be rest assured of my taking responsibility for the oversight in expunging or moderating the S.13(3) at the draft stages. This will be done soonest.
Thanks for your concern again.
Gbenga Kaka."
SOURCE: http://www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/node/4991
Media Office of Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka.