Nigerian Legislators Summon Lai Mohammed For Questioning In Connection With The Twitter Ban
Nigerian legislators summon Lai Mohammed for questioning in connection with the Twitter ban
The Nigerian House of Representatives passed a resolution on Tuesday to investigate the legality of Twitter's suspension in the country. The controversial decision announced on Friday, has sparked national debate and drew international condemnation over the last few days.
The investigation by lawmakers is the legislative body's first significant action on Twitter's suspension and comes in the wake of widespread criticism from Nigerians over the National Assembly's silence and inaction since the ban was imposed.
Since the announcement, members of the lower chamber have been "inundated with comments about the decision (to suspend Twitter), requests for intervention, and criticism," House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said during the House's plenary session's resumption in Abuja.
According to him, the House recognizes Twitter, along with other social media platforms, as a critical tool for communication and commerce in Nigeria, "particularly among the younger generation, who have successfully used these platforms for enterprise and innovation."
The lawmaker cautioned, however, that while social media is an important mode of communication and business for the younger generation of Nigerians, the government must ensure that it is not used to undermine national security, just as lawmakers must ensure that government policies are lawful and do not have unintended consequences for the public.
As part of the House Committees on Communication, Justice, Information and Culture, and National Security and Intelligence's investigation, the Minister of Culture and Information, Lai Mohammed, has been invited to brief the House on the objectives, intent, and duration of Twitter's suspension in Nigeria.
Committee to Report Back in 10 days
The committees are expected to question Lai Mohammed and report back to the House within ten days, Gbajabiamila said.
The embattled minister, in announcing the suspension of Twitter, cited a "persistent use of the platform for activities capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence." The social media behemoth in the United States has expressed “deep concern” about the ban.
Nigerians, on the other hand, continue to use Twitter, thanks to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that have enabled them to circumvent the ban. In response, Nigeria's Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has directed that those still using the microblogging platform be prosecuted immediately. Additionally, the country's broadcast regulator has ordered that television and radio stations refrain from using Twitter.
