Indications have emerged that Nigeria's Cybercrime Bill may not be passed into law before the expiration of the tenure of the current federal legislature in Nigeria. The bill, in addition to the one that allows security operatives to access voice, messages and data, have been the hallmark of tech-related legislative debates in Nigeria in the past two years.
Unless expedited actions are taken to swiftly pass the bill into law, subsequent lawmakers may have to recommence the process which is already nearing completion following its passage for a second reading by the House of Representatives.
The lawmakers in the lower chamber last week referred the bill to the joint committee on Justice and Communication Technology for further action.
Commenting on the development, Tope Ogundipe, Chief Operating Officer, Paradigm Nigeria Initiative (PIN), while commending the lawmakers, suggested urgent action should be taken on the bill before the expiration of the tenure of the lawmakers. He advised them to deliver cybercrime law that does not limit citizens' internet freedom.
He said: "With the passage, despite coming seemingly late in the day, the House owe it a duty to proceed expeditiously to deliver a cybercrime bill which must be firm, but fair and one that will curb cybercrime without limiting the citizens' internet freedom."
Last October, Nigerian Senators passed the Cybercrime Bill. Before it could become law, the bill is required to be passed members of the House of Representatives and signed by the Nigerian president.
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