Maha Christopher
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the Federal Government to immediately release activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore and discontinue all criminal defamation and cybercrime charges against him.
According to The Punch, the call followed a ruling by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who on Monday ordered Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his application seeking a stay of execution of an earlier order revoking his bail.
The judge also dismissed an application seeking his recusal from the case over alleged bias.
Reacting to the development, SERAP, in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, expressed concern over what it described as an escalating crackdown on freedom of expression and other fundamental rights.
“We are concerned about the escalating crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and media freedom and the flagrant disregard for the rule of law by Nigerian authorities,” the organisation said.
SERAP urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to release Sowore unconditionally and halt the prosecution.
“Nigerian authorities must immediately release Sowore and drop all the bogus charges against him. Authorities must stop weaponising criminal defamation and cybercrime laws to target and attack journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and activists and stop detaining and imprisoning them solely for doing their jobs,” the statement read.
The organisation argued that journalists, bloggers, activists and human rights defenders increasingly face criminal charges and arbitrary detention for carrying out legitimate activities and exercising their constitutional rights.
SERAP also alleged that authorities were relying on criminal defamation and other restrictive laws to suppress criticism and peaceful dissent.
“We are also concerned about the persistence of threats to journalists’ safety, and the potential chilling effect of strategic lawsuits against public participation and harassment, including by security agencies and politicians,” it stated.
The rights group warned that impunity for those who intimidate or harass journalists and activists continues to undermine freedom of expression and democratic participation.
According to SERAP, public officials should be willing to tolerate a higher level of scrutiny and criticism than private citizens.
“The right to criticize public officials and government policies is a fundamental component of any democratic society. Public officials are required to tolerate a greater degree of scrutiny and criticism than private individuals,” the organisation said.
It added that legal processes should never be used to intimidate, punish or silence dissenting voices or individuals engaged in public-interest advocacy.
SERAP further urged President Tinubu to ensure that Sowore and others are able to carry out their activities without fear of arrest, intimidation or reprisals.
“The administration must also end the growing authoritarian practices, uphold the rule of law and ensure respect for the human rights of everyone in Nigeria, including the rights to liberty, a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of association, and peaceful assembly,” it added.
The organisation also called for a review of the Official Secrets Act, Criminal Code Act and Cybercrime Act, arguing that some provisions in the laws could restrict freedom of speech and press freedom and should be aligned with international human rights standards.
Sowore is currently being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over alleged criminal defamation after reportedly describing President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal” in posts on his X and Facebook accounts. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following Monday’s proceedings, some of Sowore’s supporters also alleged that DSS operatives attempted to take him into custody within the court premises despite the remand order.
