Zamfara passes law against rumour mongering
- Exempts journalists and politicians

ZAMFARA, the first State in the Federation to institute the Sharia legal system and to introduce the teaching of Yoruba and Igbo languages in its schools has yet scored another first, when it signed into law the Rumour and Rumour Mongering Prohibition and Punishment Law.

The commissioner for Special Education, Alhaii Daya Naigeria told reporters in Gusau yesterday that the law will come into effect from April 24, and anyone caught making statements or assertions of doubtful accuracy or who gives reports that cannot be instantly verified has committed an arrestable offence, punishable immediately with 40 strokes of the cane.

Alhaji Naigeria added that, if it is proven that what was said or rumoured was done with the intention to cause ill-feelings, disaffection or incitement against anybody or authority or their image, the offender would be prosecuted and if found guilty would be punished with an additional 40 strokes of the cane and an imprisonment of three years.

However, the honourable commissioner said the law does not affect politicians and journalists who need to make statements or assertions of doubtful accuracy when carrying out their lawful duties.

He explained: "The intention of the new law is to educate the masses and to help Sharia along, so that we can make the most of what we have gained since its adoption. We are aware there's already a law like that in the land, but we have taken the initiative to re-enact it, to emphasise its importance in the scheme of things.

"You see, for Sharia to work effectively, we have to guard against people spreading rumours or making false allegations against others. You see, when you cut off somebody's hand for stealing, what do you do if you find out later that he was wrongly accused? Glue back his hand? This law is to take care of that loop."

A top government official added: "I, for one, supported the enactment of the new law so that we can move things forward positively. We realised our Sharia judges are not meeting their targets of finding against offenders. Our investigations revealed this was because they were looking at each case carefully and thoroughly to avoid sentencing unjustly. Why, because many cases that were brought before them were based on rumours and it's not an easy job to sieve facts from rumour."

However, a Gusau community leader who did not want to be named scoffed at the reasons proffered for enacting the new law. Said he: "Don't mind them! In anticipation of prosecuting thousands of offenders under the Sharia law, they had stockpiled imported canes, guillotines, cutting machines, stone quarries and several purpose-built prisons. And then came protests and international pressure against stoning or amputation, which kind of slowed down the whole thing. This new law brings a better prospect of using them and gaining another round of publicity for the state."