Following federal government’s ban on the American microblogging social media platform, the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has blocked access to Twitter.
This is even as the Attorney-general of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) and minister of Justice has ordered the immediate prosecution of Nigerians who are still accessing Twitter.
In a statement jointly signed by ALTON’s chairman, Engr Gbenga Adebayo and executive secretary, Gbolahan Awonuga, the association said its action was based on a directive by the telecommunications industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The statement titled ‘Order to Suspend Access to Twitter’, noted: “We, The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) wish to confirm that our members have received formal instructions from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry regulator to suspend access to Twitter.
“ALTON has conducted a robust assessment of the request in accordance with internationally accepted principles.
“Based on national interest provisions in the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and within the licence terms under which the industry operates; our members have acted in compliance with the directives of the Nigerian Communications Commisison (NCC) the industry regulator.”
The operators, however, added that they would continue to engage all the relevant authorities and stakeholders and would act as may be further directed by the NCC.
“We remain committed to supporting the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and upholding the rights of citizens.
“As an industry, we endorse the position of the United Nations that the rights held by people offline must also be protected online. This includes respecting and protecting the rights of all people to communicate, to share information freely and responsibly, and to enjoy privacy and security regarding their data and their use of digital communications,” they stated.
Confirming the directive, a senior official of the Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) one of the largest telecom service providers in Nigeria, Funso Aina, told our news room Weekend yesterday that “the MTN is sticking with the position of ALTON on the matter.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has ordered the immediate prosecution of Nigerians who are still accessing the microblogging platform, Twitter.
The order was given by the AGF and minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), following reports that some Nigerians were still accessing Twitter through a virtual private network (VPN).
Despite the ban, some Nigerians are said to be bypassing the ban imposed by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) with a VPN since early Saturday morning, the government’s ban became effective.
In a statement signed by his special assistant on media and public relations, Dr Umar Gwandu, Malami ordered the director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, “to swing into action and commence in earnest the process of prosecution of violators of the Federal Government De-activation of operations of Twitter in Nigeria”.
He also further directed the DPPF “to liaise with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, National Communication, NCC, and other relevant government agencies to ensure the speedy prosecution of offenders without any further delay”.
