Senator Ned Nwoko has called for the regulation of social media after a TikTok user made a false claim that he plotted to assassinate his estranged wife, Nollywood actress Regina Daniels.
In a statement released on Friday, the senator representing Delta north senatorial district described the Nigerian social media space as one of the most unregulated in the world.
He argued that the incident justifies the urgent need for the social media bill in the national assembly.
A TikTok user recently posted a video claiming that Ned had contacted him and others to kill Regina, providing her location and movement schedule along with an offer of ₦5 million.
However, the TikTok user posted another video on Friday retracting his statement, stating that the allegations were false and that he was not referring to Ned.
The retraction came after the senator’s communication team announced on Thursday that legal proceedings had been initiated.
The senator argued that the ease with which serious allegations can be made without consequences has created an environment that encourages deviant behavior, as content creators prey on the emotions of Nigerians to attract views and generate income.
“You can’t lie to make money and turn around to apologize after criminally defaming and hurting people.
“It is time for social media companies to be mandated to open offices in Nigeria and to take responsibility for what they allow on their platforms.
“If landlords are being threatened with punishments for actions of their tenants who are yahoo boys, what stops social media companies from being held responsible for allowing defamatory contents in their platforms,” he stated.
He also pointed out the disparity in regulatory compliance, noting that all local media houses comply with laws concerning defamation, while foreign social media companies operate without paying taxes or facing liability.
He urged Nigerians to support his bill, which he said simply seeks to get social media companies to register in Nigeria and open their offices in the country.
He added that it will mean employment for many Nigerians, technology transfer, payment of taxes, easier litigations, and help in tracking terrorists and criminal activities.
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