The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have called on President Bola Tinubu’s government to immediately end the use of the “draconian” Cybercrimes Act targeted at journalists, activists, critics, and other Nigerians peacefully expressing their views online.
They also demanded the release of those currently detained under the law across the country.
In a joint statement signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare and NGE General Secretary Iyobosa Uwugiaren, on Sunday May 4, the organisations emphasised concern over the law’s misuse.
“The use of the Cybercrimes Act to lock up people peacefully expressing their views sends a chilling message to Nigerians that rights won’t get priority under the Tinubu administration.
“Using laws that do not conform with constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards like the Cybercrimes Act erodes democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria,” the statement reads in part.
The groups further stressed that Nigerian authorities at all levels must show greater tolerance for peaceful dissent and press freedom if citizens are to hold them accountable for their constitutional duties, commitments, and promises.
They called for an end to the misuse of the Cybercrimes Act and the National Broadcasting Commission’s regulations, which have been used under the guise of broadcasting codes to intimidate and harass media professionals.
They pointed out that since the 2024 amendment of the Cybercrime Act, authorities have consistently invoked section 24 on “cyberstalking” to arbitrarily arrest, detain, and prosecute social media users, activists, and journalists.
Additionally, they noted a growing reliance on criminal defamation and repressive laws to silence dissent, with frivolous lawsuits increasingly being filed against journalists and human rights advocates.
“We are also concerned about the persistence of threats to journalists’ safety and the chilling effect of SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation) and harassment by security agencies and politicians.
“The right to freedom of expression applies to all kinds of information and ideas, even those that may shock, offend, or disturb—regardless of the truth or falsehood of the content,” the statement said.
The statement emphasised that the amended Cybercrimes Act of 2024, particularly section 24, contradicts section 39 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The groups referenced the March 2022 ECOWAS Court ruling, which declared section 24 of the Cybercrime Act as arbitrary and repressive, violating Article 9 of the African Charter and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The court had directed Nigeria to amend the law accordingly.
Despite the 2024 amendment, the groups pointed out that section 24 remains vaguely worded and susceptible to misuse.
They called on President Tinubu to instruct state governors, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services to uphold citizens’ rights. Additionally, they urged the Attorney General to advocate for immediate reforms to ensure that the laws align with the Constitution and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
@ICIR
