The Osun State Government declared its intention to establish a Cybercrime Action Committee aimed at combating the proliferation of false information within the state.
This announcement was made by Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement, who cited the necessity of fostering a governance environment characterized by responsibility, decency, and honesty.
This initiative is a response to the escalating social media confrontations between supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which have centered around governance issues and personal attacks against individuals within both parties.
Alimi pointed out that the surge in misinformation is detrimental to both the state’s administration and the opposition parties. He mentioned that the committee, which will be anchored within the Ministry of Justice, will include members from the journalism and legal fields. The committee’s goal is to aggressively address the issue of fake news, irrespective of the source.
The commissioner highlighted that the committee will operate under the Cybercrime Act of 2015, specifically referring to Section 24 (1), which penalizes the dissemination of offensive, pornographic, indecent, or menacing content, or knowingly spreading false information intended to cause annoyance, inconvenience, or anxiety. Violators face the possibility of a fine up to N7,000,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both upon conviction.
The committee is scheduled to have its first action meeting on the following Monday.
However, the formation of this committee has been criticized by Tajudeen Lawal, the Osun APC Chairman, who views it as an attempt to suppress opposition voices and push the state towards dictatorship. Lawal argues that this move is designed to instill fear among citizens who have raised concerns about Governor Adeleke’s governance, particularly regarding allegations of awarding N50bn in public road contracts to unqualified companies.
Lawal accused Governor Adeleke of hypocrisy, citing the governor’s failure to address allegations against his own administration’s propagandist, who is reportedly sought by the DSS for disseminating false information. He asserts that the committee’s establishment is a misguided effort to divert attention from the administration’s corrupt practices.
Despite these allegations, Lawal reassured that the APC is prepared to legally counter any policies perceived as repressive, maintaining their role as a vigilant opposition for the benefit of Osun State’s residents.
