SERAP drags Tinubu, govs to ECOWAS Court for using Cybercrimes Act to criminalise free speech
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a suit at the ECOWAS Court against the Bola Tinubu government and governors over their oppressive use of the Cybercrimes Act.
In a statement on Sunday, SERAP said the cybercrime act is being used to violate Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression, shutting down dissenting voices against the government.
SERAP said, “We’ve asked the ECOWAS Court of Justice to stop the Tinubu administration and Nigeria’s 36 governors from using the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 to criminalise legitimate expression and punish Nigerians, including social media users.
“Rather than using the amended legislation to make cyberspace and its users safer, Nigerian authorities are routinely weaponising it to curb Nigerians’ human rights and media freedom,” the organisation said.
SERAP, in the statement, said the suit, ECW/CCJ/APP/03/2025, was filed last week before the court in Abuja.
The development comes after nurse and activist Olamide Thomas was remanded for alleged cyberbullying over social media comments about Mr Tinubu, his son Seyi Tinubu, and children of two police officers.
A popular TikToker, Seaking, was also arrested for criticising Mr Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in a video condemning the police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, for saying it is a criminal offence to insult people online.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Anambra monarchs join forces with pilgrims board on youth spiritual rebirth
The traditional ruler commended Mr Soludo for his determined fight against fake traditional rulers.
States
Father, daughter die in Kano well
Mr Abdullahi said the incident occurred on Tuesday in Yancibi village in the Tsanyawa Local Government Area of the state.
Heading 5
Model scout linked to paedophile Epstein found dead in France apartmentÂ
Mr Said allegedly co-founded a modelling management company with Mr Epstein and was under investigation until his death.
States
Abeokuta man arrested, arraigned for stealing
A 28-year-old man, Ajayi Babatunde, was brought before the Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo on Wednesday for assault and stealing.
States
Bill banning same-sex marriage in Cross River passes second reading
The Cross River House of Assembly on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to prohibit same-sex marriage and civil unions.
World
Heat Wave: Women oppose Japan’s casual office attire for men campaign, say it’s ‘leg hair harassment’
Four months into the campaign, the new short policy has been generating mixed reactions.
