11. On 8 September 2021, the Applicants filed a Notice of Discontinuance against the 1st & 2nd Respondents and was served on the same date. 12. On the 9 September 2021Applicants filed their Reply on points of law and their Rejoinder to the Statement of Defence and were served on the same date. 13. In a virtual court session held on the 22 September 2021, the Applicants and the 1st Respondent were represented by Counsel in Court. The Court noted that the Applicants have discontinued the action against the 1st and 2nd Respondents and they were disjoined from the case leaving the 1 st Respondent as the sole Respondent. The Respondent’s Counsel’s moved the Preliminary Objection but same was dismissed by the Court in a delivered ruling. The Case was heard on the merit wherein the Applicant and the Respondent adopted their pleadings and made oral submissions before the case was adjourned for Judgment. V. APPLICANT’S CASE: a. Summary of facts 14. The case of the Applicants is that the National Assembly of the Respondent is currently debating the Bill on Hate Speech with the view to passing same into law and to establish a Commission, which essentially is meant to criminally penalize persons that make speeches that incite or defame. 15. According to the Applicants, the action of the Respondent in this regard is essentially meant to suppress, cow and sanction free speech by a law, to be used as instrument to shut every critique and criticism of government and its officials, and nothing more. 5