The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has said the ban on Twitter was informed by the need to protect Nigeria’s interest.
Malami maintained the interest of Nigeria is paramount in all considerations and must be respected by any company that wants do business in the country.
The AGF spoke while playing host to the High Commissioner of the Great Britain, Ms. Catriona Laing on Thursday during which they discussed bilateral issues relating to Asset Recovery, Anti-corruption crusade, amendment of the Electoral Act, the Audit Bill, Petroleum Industry Bill, Twitter ban and counter terrorism approaches.
His spokesman, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, ina statement, quoted him as saying: “If you want to operate as a business entity in Nigeria, you must do so within the context of Nigerian laws. Nothing offensive or that breaches the Nigerian laws should be entertained.”
Malami said government has established a committee on the matter and the company has approached the government over the issue.
On Petroleum Industry Bill, the Minister said necessary steps have been taken to ensure the pending bills are transmitted to the President for accent.
Malami said the fundamental interest and objective of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was to leverage on the bills to enhance value in terms of creating enabling environment for investment, protecting the public interest for the maximum benefit all.
Malami said the essence of the amendment of the Electoral Act was to enhance the democratic system thereby aiming at addressing delays in judicial determination of pre-election matters as well as ensuring justice and fairness in the conduct of election processes including party primaries.
He said to strengthen the fight against corruption the government came up with the Proceeds of Crime Bill and Audit Bill among others.
Malami said public interest has been the uppermost consideration within which the context of freedom of expressions should be regulated noting that reasonable restrictions to freedom of expressions are locally and internationally recognized.
“Our government is not averse to freedom. Freedom is not borderless. Freedom of expression must not be used in such a manner that incites citizens to violence or calls for an overthrow of a democratically elected government. There are bounds to freedom within the laws,” he said.
Ms. Laing, thanked the Minister for the “clarification” of the issues maintaining that the steps taken in the fight against corruption and electoral reforms are “really encouraging.”
The Nation
