Twitter Ban: NCC Reveals Why It Is Not Arresting, Prosecuting Offenders
- The Nigerian Communications Commission has explained why it is not within its purview to prosecute violators of the Twitter suspension order
- The agency had been ordered by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to work with relevant agencies to ensure the enforcement of the order
- The Nigerian government has insisted that the ban on Twitter is still subsisting and urged citizens to comply with the order
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Findings by The Punch newspaper have indicated that it is not within the duties of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to arrest and prosecute Nigerians who violate the order on the suspension of Twitter.
Source: Facebook
The director of public affairs of the agency, Ikechukwu Adinde, told the publication that the NCC is a regulator, adding that the commission limited itself based on the order given by the government.
He said the agency had complied with its part of the order by instructing telecom operators to disconnect users from accessing the site.
Adinde said:
“The NCC is a regulator. It is not within our power to arrest or prosecute. Based on our statement, we limited ourselves based on the order given to us by the government, which was to instruct the operators to disconnect, which was what we did. So, the other aspects are not within our purview.”
The order by AGF Abubakar Malami
Legit.ng recalls that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, had directed the Director of Public Prosecution to liaise with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, the NCC, and other relevant government agencies to ensure the speedy prosecution of offenders without any further delay.
Meanwhile, Nigeria's minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, has stated that the AGF Abubakar Malami has made it clear that anybody who violates the Twitter ban including, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, will be prosecuted.
Mohammed, however, explained that Malami has the prerogative to decide who to prosecute for violating the ban.
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The minister gave the explanation in an interview with BBC Africa Focus on Monday, June 7, when asked if Adeboye will be prosecuted for using Twitter.
FG says Twitter ban not yet lifted
In another news, the ministry of foreign affairs on Monday, June 7, said that the federal government has not listed the conditions to lift the suspension of Twitter in the country.
Legit.ng reported that this was contained in a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Ferdinand Nwonye.
The statement was titled, ‘Clarification of comments by the honourable minister of foreign affairs at his meeting with envoys.’
Source: Legit.ng
