Free Sowore Now, Drop Bogus Charges – SERAP Tells Tinubu

June 22 () — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged “the government of President Bola Tinubu to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Omoyele Sowore and drop all charges of criminal defamation and cybercrimes against him, as he is detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights.”

The rights group made the demand on Monday following the remand of Sowore at the Kuje Correctional Centre by the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.

earlier reported that Justice Mohammed Umar had ordered Sowore’s detention after dismissing an application in which the African Action Congress (AAC) chieftain sought the judge’s recusal from the case over alleged bias. The court subsequently adjourned proceedings until June 24, for the hearing of his motion seeking to set aside the bail revocation order and bench warrant earlier issued against him.

In a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP expressed concern over what it described as an escalating crackdown on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and media freedom in Nigeria.

“We are concerned about the escalating crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and media freedom, and the flagrant disregard for the rule of law by Nigerian authorities”, the organisation stated.

According to SERAP, Nigerian authorities should protect, rather than suppress, human rights and democratic freedoms.

“Nigerian authorities must immediately release Sowore and drop all the bogus charges against him. Authorities must stop weaponising criminal defamation and cybercrime laws to target and attack journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and activists and stop detaining and imprisoning them solely for doing their jobs”, the statement read.

SERAP noted that journalists, bloggers, activists and human rights defenders increasingly face significant obstacles, including criminal charges and arbitrary detention, for peacefully exercising their rights and carrying out legitimate public-interest work.

“We are concerned that journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and activists face significant obstacles, and even criminal charges and arbitrary detention solely for peacefully exercising their human rights and carrying out their legitimate work in the country”, it said.

The group further alleged that authorities at different levels of government have increasingly deployed criminal defamation laws and other restrictive legislation to suppress criticism and peaceful dissent.

“Nigerian authorities at all levels increasingly use criminal defamation laws and other repressive laws to crack down on human rights and peaceful dissent, bringing frivolous lawsuits against journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and activists”, it added.

SERAP also raised concerns about threats to journalists’ safety and the growing use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), warning that such actions could discourage civic engagement and public accountability.

“We are also concerned about the persistence of threats to journalists’ safety, and the potential chilling effect of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) and harassment, including by security agencies and politicians”, the organisation added.

According to SERAP, impunity for those who intimidate, harass or threaten journalists and activists has contributed to an increasingly hostile environment for defenders of constitutionally guaranteed rights.

The organisation stressed that criticism of public officials and government policies is a fundamental feature of democratic governance and should not attract criminal sanctions.

“The right to criticise public officials and government policies is a fundamental component of any democratic society. Public officials are required to tolerate a greater degree of scrutiny and criticism than private individuals. Legal processes should never be used, or be perceived as being used, to punish, intimidate, or silence dissenting voices or those engaged in legitimate public-interest advocacy”, it stated.

SERAP urged the Tinubu administration to ensure that Sowore is able to carry out his journalistic and human rights activities without fear of intimidation, arrest or reprisals.

“The Tinubu administration must ensure that Sowore is able to carry out his journalistic and human rights activities and exercise his right to freedom of expression without fear of harassment, intimidation, arrest, or reprisals”, the statement added.

The group also called on the Federal Government to halt what it described as growing authoritarian practices, uphold the rule of law and protect the rights to liberty, fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly.

It further urged President Tinubu to publicly direct the Department of State Services (DSS) to respect and uphold the rights of journalists, bloggers, activists and human rights defenders.

SERAP renewed its call for a review of laws such as the Official Secrets Act, Criminal Code Act and Cybercrime Act, arguing that provisions within the legislation continue to undermine media freedom and citizens’ enjoyment of their constitutional rights.

“The administration should review laws like the Official Secrets Act, Criminal Code Act and Cybercrime Act for potential restrictions on free speech and press, and amend them in line with international human rights standards. These laws continue to erode citizens’ enjoyment of their human rights and media freedom”, the organisation said.

Sowore is currently facing prosecution by the Department of State Services over allegations that he made false claims against President Tinubu by referring to him as “a criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts. The matter is expected to return to court on June 24.