Court stops Buhari regime from arresting Nigerians using Twitter
ECOWAS court in Abuja has stopped President Muhammadu Buhari-led government from arresting Nigerians using Twitter, pending the hearing and determination of a suit brought before it by a rights body Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The West Africa regional court’s order comes four days after Peoples Gazette, Paradigm Initiative for Information Technology Development and seven others filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja over the regime’s suspension of Twitter.
Online medium, The Nigeria Lawyer, quoted the court as saying, “The court has listened very well to the objection by Nigeria. The court has this to say. Any interference with Twitter is viewed as inference with human rights, and that will violate human rights.
“Therefore, this court has jurisdiction to hear the case. The court also hereby orders that the application be heard expeditiously. The Nigerian government must take immediate steps to implement the order.”
The news outlet, however, reported that the ruling followed the suit filed by SERAP and 176 concerned Nigerians, who argued that suspension of Twitter and the criminalisation of Twitter users have escalated the repression of human rights, and restricting rights of Nigerians to freedom of expression.
Lawyer to SERAP, Femi Falana, described the ruling as a timely relief for millions using Twitter who have been threatened with prosecution under the provision of the Penal Code relating to sedition.
The Gazette learnt the matter has been adjourned to July 6, 2021, for hearing of the substantive suit. Nigerians have started applauding the court decision.
Nigeria’s information minister Lai Mohammed on June 4 announced the indefinite suspension of Twitter in the country on the ground that it was used to spread false information and “activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.”
Attorney-General Abubakar Malami sought to enforce the ban by threatening to arrest and prosecute anyone who tweets in Nigeria. To circumvent the ban, which came without recourse to any existing law, Nigerians have been downloading VPNs and other browsers with built-in protocols that obscure their location.
Also, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) directed that broadcasting stations immediately stop the patronage of Twitter and de-install their handles.
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
Olubadan lauds Tinubu on release of Oriire kidnap victims, urges rehabilitation
“As a follow-up to this development, the government must ensure that all communities bordering the National Park are fully secure,” he said.
Heading 1
Iran’s new supreme leader vows revenge over father’s assassination by U.S.-Israeli forces
“We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers,” he said.
Heading 4
Trump administration subpoenas New York Times journalists over Air Force One story
The subpoenas seek to compel the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan.
Heading 2
Klopp agrees to replace Nagelsmann as Germany coach
Nagelsmann resigned last week as the men’s national team coach following Germany’s shocking exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Health
FG expands cancer funding, local drug production
“We are trying to domesticate expensive treatments by producing much-needed medicines locally and translating global research into action in our clinics,” he said.
Heading 3
Remi Tinubu begs Asake, Davido, Burna Boy to come rescue poor Nigerians from hunger
The first lady stated that buying exotic cars is good, but noted that the singers can still establish foundations to assist the struggling population.
