Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, says social media is contributing to ethnic and religious division in the country.
Ribadu said this on Sunday at a press conference in reaction to social media reports that he accused government officials of sponsoring banditry.
The former EFCC boss said social media promotes fake news, which creates religious and ethnic divisions in the country.
“This is my strongest denial. Everybody should please disregard the statement. It is not from me; it is not true,” he said
“Social media is, today, partly responsible for what is going on in our country by trying to promote things that are not true and creating divisions based on religion and ethnicity, among other things.
“I am a believer of freedom of expression; a strong and a firm believer in the ability of people to be free. But at the same time, be responsible. If it is going to cause harm to others, then you lose that freedom.
“Social media companies also have a role to play, I don’t see any reason why Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram will allow such a damaging statement to go out against somebody without stopping it,” the former anti-graft chief said.
