Ebonyi Govt To Enact Law For ‘Arrest And Trial’ Of Fake News Propagators

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has cautioned those who derive joy in spreading fake news on social media to beware as the government will soon criminalize fake news in the state.

Umahi expressed displeasure over a rumour on social media last week regarding an alleged resurrection of the late former Commissioner for Infrastructural Development and Concession, Fidelis Kings Nweze, who died recently.

“I am coming up with a law that would ensure the arrest and trial of anyone that propagates fake news with intent at defamation or escalation of crisis, “the governor said.

A statement by the Special Assistant to the governor (Media and Publicity), Mr. Francis Nweze, quoted the governor to have made the disclosure during a church service on Sunday at Christ Embassy, Mile 50, Abakaliki.

Governor Umahi, while reacting to the death of the late commissioner said: “I am very proud of the young man. In a society where people pay evil for good done unto them; in a society of betrayals; in a society where young men are no longer interested in hard work, that young man excelled in everything.

“So, we continue to pray for the family and the state. We lost quite a lot. He was handling not less than 10 different projects. There were no complaints.

“I have become the father of the family till eternity and I will stand by the family even when I leave office because of the life he lived.”