Hate speech: Cleric cautions Buhari, NASS on death penalty

Renowned Christian cleric and President of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun, has kicked against death penalty as punishment for hate speech.

Akinosun advised the National Assembly members to jettison hate speech bill currently before it, and strengthen all the existing laws guiding public utterances in the country. He urged the Federal Government and National Assembly to make use of existing laws on defamation to deal with those involved in hate speech. He stressed that death sentence was too grievous, as a penalty for such offence.

The cleric, who spoke with newsmen at the Joseph Ayo Babalola International camp ground, Ikeji-Arakeji, after the ordination of over 2000 new pastors of the church, said this administration needs prayers.He advised Nigerians to be obedient and law-abiding, just as he called on the leadership to make policies that would be beneficial to the citizenry.

On continuous detention of Omoyele Sowore, he demanded his release, saying: “Sowore should be released, since a court of competent jurisdiction has ordered his release on bail.”He warned Nigerians against actions capable of truncating the nation’s democracy, saying: “there is a limit to freedom in any democracy. We should not abuse the democracy we are enjoying in Nigeria.”