wo prominent rights groups — the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International — have called on President Bola Tinubu to order the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to immediately withdraw the ongoing charges against activist Omoyele Sowore as well as the owners of X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
The charges reportedly stem from Sowore’s critical and anti-Tinubu commentaries shared on the social media platforms.
In a joint letter dated September 20, 2025, signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and Amnesty International Nigeria’s director, Isa Sanusi, the groups described the use of the justice system to clamp down on dissent as unconstitutional and a violation of Nigeria’s human rights commitments.
They argued that criminal defamation and SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) suits are neither justified nor proportionate under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) or international treaties binding on Nigeria. According to them, such legal actions create a climate of fear that discourages free expression and the exchange of ideas.
The groups also reminded the government that the ECOWAS Court is currently hearing a case questioning the legality of certain provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024, particularly in relation to rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
“Until the ECOWAS Court delivers its judgment, security and law enforcement agencies, including the DSS, must refrain from invoking the Act as a tool to stifle peaceful dissent,” the letter emphasized.
SERAP and Amnesty warned that if the administration fails to comply with their request within seven days, they would explore legal action against the Federal Government.
