By Mohamed Fofanah.
The Bill entitled “Cybercrime Act 2020” has been committed to the Committee on Legislation for further scrutiny and possibly correcting irregularities for fear that it confers “too much powers” on the Minister of Information and Communications, following a stern opposition from the All People’s Congress party on Thursday at the Bintumani Conference Center in Freetown.
During a Parliamentary proceeding, members of the APC party, including Honourable Mark Mamud Kalokoh, argued that the Ministry should develop regulations for a bill which they fear gives ‘enormous powers’ to the Minister than the court. He said this will militate against freedom of expression and press freedom.
The ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party MP and Chairperson of the Legislative Committee, Honourable Foday Marray Conteh said that the Bill is surrounded by misconceptions, misinformation, and miscommunication, and that it is not as complicated as amplified by the opposition APC party, in what he described as politics of deception. He said: “We’re going to make a law that will make provisions for responsible speech.”
Meanwhile, the Leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC), Honourable Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella announced that Sierra Leone needs cybercrime laws necessary to protect the rights of residents.
He said that they will engage during the legislative committee meeting to discuss the Bill to make it workable for the good of the citizenry.
Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella quoted the Minister of Information and Communications as conceding, during a television discussion that he was surprised at the enormous authority given to him by the Act.
