The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has
condemned the Department of State Services, DSS, over its letter to X
demanding the suspension of a post by Omoyele Sowore.
In a statement on Sunday, SERAP warned that the DSS’s action threatens
human rights and undermines freedom of expression in Nigeria.
According to the group, the threat against X if carried out will amount to
crackdown on access to social media and have an effect on Nigerians'
rights to freedom of expression and access to information online.
SERAP cited judicial precedent to back its position, noting that the
ECOWAS Court of Justice has held that access to Twitter is a fundamental
human right.
It also warned against restrictive practices, saying Nigerian authorities
cannot use repressive and non-human rights compliant laws to restrict
Nigerians' human rights offline and online.
Recall that the DSS had formally petitioned the management of X,
demanding the immediate suspension of Sowore’s verified account over a
post it described as a threat to national security.
In a letter signed by B. Bamigboye, the Service alleged that Sowore’s
post constituted hate speech, cybercrime, and incitement to violence
against the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu.
