Should hate speech lead to death sentence?

The National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speeches Bill 2019 which, among other things, seeks capital punishment (death by hanging) for culprits, passed first reading on Tuesday in the senate. This has since generated outrage across the country. Daily Trust Saturday sought the opinions of some Nigerians on whether the bill is valid.

This is a very ridiculous proposal! Whoever is trying to push the bill has something to hide because how can you say that we as citizens of a country cannot talk freely? It is absurd. I don’t believe there is anything such as hate speech. Not to talk of it attracting this kind of punishment. I don’t understand why anyone should get offended by what the other person says. It is not that deep, to be honest. If I don’t like someone and I say ill words towards that person, that does not translate to hate speech. That is me expressing myself the way I can. We Africans get offended by every little thing that comes our way and it shouldn’t be so. We have not rallied people in a public square and instigate them to fight, we are only saying how we feel. How is that hate speech? There should be freedom of speech and freedom after that speech. Everyone has a right to his or her opinion. If your opinion is not relevant, it should be ignored. Instead of saying it is ‘hate speech’. That death sentence is very harsh and unnecessary. The people pushing for this should reconsider their decision.

Egija George, 27, Librarian, Benue State

The proposed ‘Hate Speech Bill’ is not something to be welcomed in a democratic society as it will violate Nigerians right to freedom of speech as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. The Bill poorly defines what constitutes hate speech and how hate speech could be differentiated from an offensive speech of which there are laws already in place to tackle such.
Why introduce a law that is not clear and also prescribe the death penalty as a maximum sentence while 10 years imprisonment is the minimum sentence? So in my view, this issue is one to be critically looked at as the law might be prone to abuse by the authorities. It could be used as a tool to target political opponents.
I think the Senate should target this energy at public fund looters found guilty of corruption as they are the ones doing more damage to the country than any other. The death penalty should be the maximum sentence for corruption.

Najib Adamu Haruna Esq, 29, Lawyer, Kano State

The death penalty isn’t an option. Nationally, we are yet to agree on a definition of the term ‘Hate Speech’ and the Senate is rushing to propose death penalty when they have not proposed the same penalty for looters of the nation’s treasury. The Senate and the senators are products of democracy we are all enjoying, we must, therefore, lawfully resist every move aimed at jeopardizing freedom of expression and speech. For the avoidance of doubt, I know the distinction between freedom of expression and hate speech, in fact, I have been involved in nationwide public enlightenment and campaign against hate speech in the last four years. Instead of the death penalty, why don’t we empower institutions to enlighten citizens on what may jeopardize the peace and stability of our country. We can as well back that up with certain mechanisms aimed at mitigating the menace.

Hamza Ibrahim, 33, Coordinator, Countering Hate Speech Project, Centre for Information Technology and Development, Kano

Hate Speech Bill is good for Nigeria! While most well-meaning Nigerians especially the advocates of good governance and inclusion for development angrily and loudly condemn the bill, I feel it is not just good but a great initiative that will do our country a whole lot of good. I was surprised reading reactions condemning what will do them a lot of good. It’s plain fact, that ‘Hate Speeches’ have potentials of igniting serious violent conflict and in a country like Nigeria with a multiplicity of ethnic and religious group, the earlier we handle the hate speech menace the better, so we all can live as one peaceful and tension free nation.
But before we finally applaud the senate for this laudable initiative, we must ask one simple question; Has Nigeria nationally adopted a clear definition of hate speech? If the answer is YES, fine; it should then be made public for everyone to study, so one doesn’t find himself trapped for asking his/her governor how he managed to spend billions of Naira in buying wood for burial. Nigerians are afraid of the bill, perceiving it as a mechanism that will stop them from engaging them through asking questions about public resources. Dear distinguished senators, let’s have a clear definition then we welcome the idea. Simple!

Hassan Mohammed Chiroma, 30, Coordinator, Bauchi Coalition for Improvement of Public Expenditure Management

The Senate reintroduction of a bill it abandoned under pressure last year through which it sought to impose the death penalty on “person found guilty of any form of hate speech that results in the death of another person “. The Senate rather focused on enacting a law that takes a look at what brings about hatred, the perpetrators of such speeches, etc. I would advise the Senate should be liberal rather than in considering this law.

Comrade Abubakar Bello Nayalwa, 31, Ex-Corp Member, Abuja

The proposed death sentence for hate speech shows clearly how some authorities plan on silencing Nigerians from voicing their opinions. This shows how desperate these men plan on making sure they rule without being questioned in further elections. I think now is the time for Nigerians to speak up, even if the bill isn’t passed. The temerity that they even have to raise such motion shows the thoughts they have for this country.

Mike Richards, 27, Sales executive, Delta