Rights advocacy groups demanded that President Bola Tinubu dismiss legal proceedings against activist Omoyele Sowore and major social media companies. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project joined forces with Amnesty International Nigeria to challenge prosecutions related to critical online content. Their September 20, 2025, correspondence urged federal authorities to halt the misuse of court systems against peaceful critics. The organizations called for immediate intervention to protect constitutional freedoms of expression. They requested Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi to propose legislation preventing frivolous lawsuits designed to silence public discourse.
Federal prosecutors filed five criminal counts against Sowore at Abuja's Federal High Court on September 16. Two charges emerged from the Cybercrimes Amendment Act 2024, while three others involved criminal defamation and public disturbance allegations under existing criminal statutes. The legal action followed Sowore's apparent refusal to remove posts criticizing the president. Rights defenders argued these prosecutions violate Nigeria's constitutional protections and international human rights commitments. They warned that such tactics create widespread fear among citizens exercising their legitimate criticism rights.
Federal prosecutors filed five criminal counts against Sowore at Abuja's Federal High Court on September 16. Two charges emerged from the Cybercrimes Amendment Act 2024, while three others involved criminal defamation and public disturbance allegations under existing criminal statutes. The legal action followed Sowore's apparent refusal to remove posts criticizing the president. Rights defenders argued these prosecutions violate Nigeria's constitutional protections and international human rights commitments. They warned that such tactics create widespread fear among citizens exercising their legitimate criticism rights.
