Some Nigerians on social media have taken Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, to the cleaners over his denial of the existence of the social media bill presently before the Senate.

The Bill for an Act to Make Provisions for the Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation and for related matters 2019 which passed second reading at the Senate in November 2019.

Many social media users had claimed the bill, sponsored by Senator Musa Sani (APC-Niger east), would clampdown on freedom of speech and would wage war against critics of government.

While presenting the lead debate on the bill during plenary last November, Sani had said the bill was a 36-clause legislative proposal to provide for the prevention of broadcast of falsehood and manipulative contents using the internet and its intermediaries for transmission.

“It prescribes sanctions to offenders with a view to deterrence and the penalty for defaulters ranges from fine of up to N300, 000.”

Sani added that the bill also provided for the issuance of regulations dealing with the transmission of false statements of facts in Nigeria upon declaration.

Mohammed had defended the bill at different gatherings, giving reasons why it is needed, but in a recent interview with Tim Sebastian of German media outfit Deutsche Welle (DW), he denied the existence of the bill.

A snippet of the interview presently making the round on social media has sparked outrage as Nigerians lambaste him for “always lying”.

A former minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode wrote:

“Lai Mohammed is the biggest LIAR in the history of Nig. politics &he should have thought twice before attempting to go toe to toe with Tim Sebastien(of Hatdtalk fame) who,in my view,is the toughest,most incisive,most insightful and most brilliant interviewer of his generation

“Tim, as usual, had done his research very well and he took the Liar to the cleaners and had him stammering like a kindergarten student. Next time Lai will remain in his very low league and not attempt to cross swords on int. television with a well-informed and thoroughly professional journalist with over 40 experience, who knows his onions and who cannot be easily lied to or intimidated.”

William Ukpe wrote:

“The reason Lai Mohammed denied that bill.. Is because they know the Bill is a shameless bill made for shameless men whit fragile egos. They can threaten Nigerians with that bill. But abroad air beings clarity, so baba deny am

“The Nigerian elite are the most shameless in the world. A Chinese minister will admit such bill with his chest and ask. ” What will you do” Over here, they can’t even admit their stupidity with their chests.”

WuzupNigeria has also spotted a video of the Minister defending the bill and why it is the right thing to do:

See video:

 

See other reactions:

 

 

I’ve told these English people to stop using ambiguous words when speaking with our politicians…. Local man is feigning ignorance… Should have said: About the social media and hate speech, ‘Lai’ tell us about it… #Lai Mohammed pic.twitter.com/m4JRXTMWHA

— Adeola (@Harrdehy) February 1, 2020

In my entire existence, I have not seen a pathological liar like Lai Mohammed. I can perceive his mouth odour right here.

When u give birth, it is always important to give ur babies good names.

How can you name someone Lai? He grew up to be a liar.

?pic.twitter.com/NLGiZuBtNk

— Unu Amaro Kam Sịrị Kwado (@AfamDeluxo) January 31, 2020

This is a video of our own minister of information Mr liar Mohammed denying expressly and unequivocally any knowledge of the hate speech bill n d anti-internet bill?
This is d same man dat came on live television to say dat nothing will stop those billspic.twitter.com/oQOHrNQYMR

— DEMAGOGUE PhD.?senior advocat? (@von_Bismack) January 31, 2020

@MBuhari said he’s surprised that the Boko Haram insurgency is still on, so why are we all surprised that Lai Mohammed said he’s not aware of any Social Media bill being presented in the house???
If you add 0 to 0, what’s it??

— Áhà mụ bú Ichie Ọganihu 1 of Ala Uli..? (@I_Love_Success) February 1, 2020

This absolutely has nothing to do with political affiliation or any of that, but having people like Lai Mohammed represents our country is an extreme sport, it doesn’t even matter how you want to defend this does he even know what he’s doing to himself? pic.twitter.com/DlCp8dZxza

— 24 ??❤️ (@Omobawealthjii) February 1, 2020

How could a Minister of Information be lying, that’s means out information has no truth in what they are giving us from this crazy foolish cabinet. Why can’t they remove this guy from this position, he can’t even defend himself. *Lai Mohammed* You are dumb Sir with due respect

— TpeyVerified ²º¹5™ (@tpey05) February 1, 2020