Following what it considers as rapid increase in cybercrimes, cyber bullying and deliberate online false news, the Osun State Government has inaugurated a committee against these acts to give effect to relevant provisions of the law.
The Osun State Government said the move became necessary to sanitise the governance space, ensure the effectiveness of governance and politicking in decency, honesty and responsibility, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, said in a statement
As suggested, Alimi added, operators should be brought within the compass of the law, exercising their rights as assured by the constitution following the rapid increase in fake news that affects both government and the opposition.
According to the Commissioner, no matter who the perpetrators are, the Ministry of Justice assures the public of tackling fake news.
According to Alimi, “the Committee is to apply relevant sections of the Cybercrime Act of 2015 as operational clauses to ensure all stakeholders operate within the law in the exercise and enjoyment of their fundamental human rights.”
According to Section 24 (1) of the Cybercrime Act, 2015: “A person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message or other matter by means of computer systems or network that is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character or causes any such message or matter to be sent, or he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be sent, commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to a fine of not more than N7, 000, 000.00 or imprisonment for a term, not more than three years or both”
The committee’s maiden action meeting is scheduled for Monday, the Commissioner disclosed, while affirming the commitment of Ademola Adeleke, Osun State Governor, in delivering good governance, due process, rule of law and fear of God.
