On Sunday, the Osun State Government declared its intention to establish a Cybercrime Action Committee to combat the proliferation of fake news within the state.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement, Kolapo Alimi, who emphasized the necessity of maintaining responsible, decent, and honest discourse in both politics and governance.
The decision follows a surge in social media clashes between supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding governance issues and the character of individuals within the parties.
Alimi disclosed that the committee, situated within the Ministry of Justice, would consist of journalists and legal professionals.
Its primary objective is to eradicate fake news, regardless of the source, utilizing relevant provisions from the Cybercrime Act of 2015.
Citing Section 24(1) of the Cybercrime Act, Alimi highlighted the legal repercussions for disseminating false, offensive, or malicious content via computer systems or networks.
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The penalty includes fines up to N7,000,000 or imprisonment for a maximum of three years.
The committee is scheduled to convene its inaugural meeting on Monday to kickstart its operations.
In response, the Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, criticized the initiative, labeling it as an attempt to stifle opposition voices and consolidate power in the hands of the governor.
Lawal accused the government of resorting to authoritarian tactics to suppress criticism, particularly regarding allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
He vowed that the Osun APC would vehemently resist any attempts to curtail their constitutional rights and would challenge oppressive policies through legal channels.
Lawal accused Governor Adeleke’s administration of deploying diversionary tactics to deflect scrutiny from alleged corrupt practices, particularly concerning the purported awarding of multi-billion road contracts under questionable circumstances.
Despite the government’s efforts to clamp down on fake news, Lawal reiterated the commitment of the Osun APC to uphold their role as a credible opposition and advocate for the welfare of the state’s citizens.
