We did not ask the DPP to prosecute Nigerians using twitter – Malami goes back on his words.
Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has denied promising to prosecute Nigerians who use Twitter after the recent ban by the Federal Government.
It was recently reported that the Attorney General of the Federation, Malami ordered the prosecution of those violating the ban on Twitter.
The directive was in a statement issued by Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, media aide of Malami, on Saturday.
Gwandu said Malami directed the office of the public prosecution of the federation (DPPF) to prosecute violators of the ban.
The Minister however denied the allegation in a chat with vanguard Newspaper, stating that his statement was misunderstood and taken out of context.
“It is within their guaranteed fundamental right to tweet from anywhere in the world. Nigeria, being a democratic nation, cannot stop its citizens from exercising their rights of freedom of expression,” Malami said.
“But our position on Twitter is clear: Anyone, whether individual or corporate institution that enables Twitter to circumvent the ban the Federal Government of Nigeria placed on the company, will be prosecuted.
“Our statement outlining our position did not ask the DPP to prosecute Nigerians using Twitter or any social media platform to express their view.
“But we are going to use the legal instruments at our disposal to go after those who aid and abet Twitter to continue to threaten our corporate existence as a nation,” he added.
The minister also stated that at no time did the federal government threaten to prosecute any religious leader.
“It is clear from the barrage of insinuations and falsehood being orchestrated by some Nigerians and those trying to change the clear position of the Government of Nigeria to suit their whims and caprices and to whip up sentiments to hoodwink the people, that they are up to some mischievous and sinister games, which the Federal Government will not condone.
“At no time did we threaten any religious leader for using Twitter to express themselves. Neither did we indicate in any way that we were going after them. But mischief-makers were quick to mention names of religious leaders and give the impression that we were already in court to try them.
“Let it be made clear that the Buhari administration being a people-centered government that relies on the rule of law, will never adopt any policy or program that seeks to add pain or injury to the very people who elected it to serve them.
“For the record, let it be made amply clear that the AGF, Abubakar Malami, is not after any Nigerian tweeting from Nigeria or anywhere in the world but that any Nigerian company or entity that gives a helping hand for Twitter to escape the ban placed on it, will be dealt with,” Malami warned.
