…Labels bill most dangerous since 1999
By John Alechenu
ABUJA — Human rights lawyer and activist, Chidi Odinkalu, has described the NGO Regulation Bill currently before the National Assembly as the most dangerous piece of legislation proposed in Nigeria since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
The bill has passed first and second readings in the House of Representatives and is now before the House Committee on NGOs, which is scheduled to hold a public hearing in Abuja later this month.
Speaking on the proposed legislation in Abuja on Thursday, Odinkalu said the bill sought to place virtually all non-governmental activities under the control of the Federal Government, warning that its provisions could have far-reaching consequences for civil liberties.
