The Campaign for Democracy has asked the National Assembly to expunge cybercrime law, describing it as a violation of citizens’ right to freedom of expression. 

The group said that the law was only fashionable during the “dark days” of the military, when Nigerians were being gagged from speaking “truth to power.”

It stated, “This type of law was only fashionable during the dark days of the military administrators when the Nigerian citizens were oppressed, suppressed, and gagged from speaking the truth to power. The law is, pragmatically, similar to the Decree No 2, the State Security (Detention of Persons) Decree of 1984 that allowed for indefinite detention without trial of individuals suspected of threatening national security, effectively suspending fundamental human rights and court jurisdiction in such cases.” 

The group spoke in a statement in Akure by its Deputy President, Samuel Olaseinde, on Thursday. 

The call followed the arrest and detention of three Akoko youths in Ondo State; Blessing Akeju, AYF President, Yaya Bisola and Adeniyan Adesunloye over alleged cyberbullying and cyberstalking; a development that triggered youth protest on Wednesday. 

The three youths were dragged before the Akure Division of the Magistrates’ court and were also denied bail due to cyberbullying. 

Condemning the action, the CD said that government should expunge the law, noting that it was necessary to forestall crisis and avoid intimidating dissenting voices in society. 

It noted that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the particular section that deals with cyberbullying, known as Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.), must be repealed or amended.

The group stated, “The cyberbullying law promoted a strategy carefully packaged to silence the voice of opinion leaders and right activists in the country, whereas, freedom of expression, press freedom, et al, as enshrined in Chapter Four of the constitution are all ingredients of democracy, as well, necessary for its growth.

“Any democracy that lacks these basic tenets is not a true democracy, but a dictatorial democracy crafted by men prone to despotism and totalitarianism. Section 1 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended stipulates that ‘This constitution is supreme over all persons and authorities in Nigeria.’ Section 1 (3), “Any law or any act that is inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution shall be rendered inconsistent to the extent of its inconsistency shall be void.”

The group called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to wade into the rift between youths of Akoko and one of his cabinet members to solve the problem once and for all.