The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has expressed deep concern over what it described as the persistent use of criminal defamation lawsuits by the administration of Bola Tinubu to target activists, journalists, bloggers, and citizens for peacefully exercising their fundamental human rights.
SERAP’s reaction followed a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which dismissed a no-case submission filed by activist Omoyele Sowore in a case instituted against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Sowore is facing allegations of cyberbullying President Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Friday, SERAP said that while it respects the judiciary and due process, continuing the prosecution raises serious concerns about freedom of expression and democratic accountability in Nigeria.
According to the group, the charges against Sowore appear to arise from the peaceful expression of opinions on issues of public interest.
SERAP argued that international human rights standards allow wider criticism of public officials, especially heads of state, warning that criminal proceedings based on critical speech threaten open debate in a democracy.
The organization also warned that the prosecution could create a chilling effect on journalists, activists, and ordinary Nigerians who seek to question authority or express dissenting views.
Abuse of Cybercrime Act
SERAP further criticized the use of provisions within the Cybercrime Act to punish speech, saying such actions could shrink civic space and encourage abuse of the law.
Citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, the group stressed that every Nigerian has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and share information without interference.
It also referenced Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which protect free speech rights.
The organization called on Nigerian authorities to immediately withdraw all criminal defamation charges against Sowore and other citizens facing similar prosecutions over peaceful expression.
SERAP also urged the government to comply with the judgment of the ECOWAS Court of Justice by repealing what it described as repressive provisions of the Cybercrimes Act, particularly Section 24.
The group additionally appealed to the National Assembly to urgently review and amend laws susceptible to abuse in order to align them with international human rights standards.
