Mirian Gom 
Activist Omoyele Sowore
ABUJA, Nigeria – Rights groups have urged President Bola Tinubu to withdraw criminal charges against activist Omoyele Sowore, social media platform X and Facebook over alleged anti-Tinubu posts.
In a joint letter dated 20 September, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International Nigeria argued that the lawsuits represent a misuse of judicial processes to silence dissent.
“The weaponisation of the justice system is inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights obligations,” the groups wrote.
Two of the charges were filed under the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024, while three others were based on criminal defamation and disturbance. Sowore has refused to delete the posts, prompting the DSS to file a five-count suit on 16 September at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The groups warned that SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) undermines democracy. “Such lawsuits pose serious risks as they discourage free expression,” Amnesty’s Isa Sanusi said.
They also cited a 2022 ECOWAS Court ruling ordering Nigeria to stop prosecuting citizens under Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act for insulting officials online.
Recalling Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech, the groups reminded him: “We dare not seek silence because the imposed silence of repressed voices breeds chaos.”
They gave Tinubu seven days to act or face legal escalation before the ECOWAS Court.
About the Author
Otamere Gladness 
Hussaini Ibrahim