The country director of West African Media Lawyers, President Aigbokhan condemn the recent arraignment of Mr. Ogedegbe Oiseoruemi Ayodele Uduangbe, Esq a senior civil servant with Edo State Local Government Service Commission for allegedly publishing fake news on his Facebook page that the Edo University, Iyamho’s operating licence has been revoked by the National University Commission, NUC.
he 59 year old lawyer who is followed by 611 followers on Facebook was docked on a four count charge punishable under sections 517, 375, 517 and 59(1) of the Criminal Code of the defunct Bendel State before Oredo Magistrate Court.
WEST AFRICAN MEDIA LAWYERS’ (WAMELAW)
The country director of West African Media Lawyers, President Aigbokhan condemn the recent arraignment of Mr. Ogedegbe Oiseoruemi Ayodele Uduangbe, Esq a senior civil servant with Edo State Local Government Service Commission for allegedly publishing fake news on his Facebook page that the Edo University, Iyamho’s operating licence has been revoked by the National University Commission, NUC.
The 59 year old lawyer who is followed by 611 followers on Facebook was docked on a four count charge punishable under sections 517, 375, 517 and 59(1) of the Criminal Code of the defunct Bendel State before Oredo Magistrate Court.Mr. Aigokhan expressed sadness over the unprotected online space in Edo state. He said that the first sign of this in Edo State was where the government commenced criminal trial against Edoghogho Ugberease (f) for taking photograph of a discharged accused person outside the court premises. According to Aigbokhan “making taking photograph with a techno phone outside the court premises or publishing false news a crime can stifle expression. Our prison yard is too full to accommodate persons of such offence. The time is now to challenge the constitutionality of criminal offence of publishing false news in Nigeria”. He urged citizens to exercise their right to freedom of expression on the internet responsibly.