The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to grant an immediate and unconditional release to journalist Omoyele Sowore. The group argues that the defamation and cybercrime charges brought against him are illegitimate, as his detention stems from the peaceful exercise of his human rights.
This demand follows a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja on Monday, which ordered that Sowore be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre while his motion to challenge a bail revocation is pending. The court reached this decision after rejecting a request for the presiding judge to recuse himself due to claims of partiality.
Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s deputy director, issued a statement highlighting the growing suppression of free speech and peaceful assembly within Nigeria. The organization emphasized that the government should prioritize the protection of human rights rather than utilizing legal frameworks to intimidate journalists and activists. SERAP urged authorities to cease the practice of exploiting defamation and cybercrime statutes to silence dissent, noting that such actions create a dangerous environment for those holding public officials accountable. Furthermore, the group recommended that the Tinubu administration reform legislation like the Cybercrime Act and the Official Secrets Act to ensure they align with international human rights standards.