Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) have urged the President Bola Tinubuled administration to immediately end the use of what it described as the draconian Cybercrimes Act to target journalists, activists, critics and other Nigerians peacefully expressing their views online, and release those in custody across the country under the legislation.
The groups said the use of the Cybercrimes Act to lock up people peacefully expressing their views sends a chilling message to Nigerians that rights would not get priority under the Tinubu administration.
According to the groups, using laws that do not conform with the constitution and guarantees and international human rights standards – like the Cybercrimes Act – erodes democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.
The statement followed the press conference on ‘Unchecked Injustice: How Authorities Are Weaponizing the Cybercrimes Act to Stifle Peaceful Dissent and Media Freedom in Nigeria’, held yesterday at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja. The event was jointly organized by SERAP and NGE to mark the World Press Freedom Day.
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