Nigeria, April 23 -- The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the first reading of a landmark bill aimed at amending the controversial Cybercrime Act.

The proposed legislation, titled, "Cybercrime Prohibition, Prevention (Amended) Bill (HB 2740), " was introduced by the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi (APC, Ekiti), and seeks to dismantle the legal ambiguities that have frequently been used to suppress investigative reporting and silence whistleblowers.

The proposed amendment focuses largely on revising Sections 24, 27 and 38 of the principal Act.

Particular concern was centred on the cyberstalking provision, which has remained the most controversial aspect of the law since it came into force.

Media organisations and civil soci...