The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has called on the Federal Government to immediately release journalist and activist Omoyele Sowore and withdraw all criminal defamation and cybercrime charges against him.
In a statement on Monday, the group said Sowore is being detained over his public comments and social media posts, describing the situation as part of a broader clampdown on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and media freedom in Nigeria.
SERAP’s reaction followed a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja ordering Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.
The organisation said it was concerned about what it described as a growing disregard for the rule of law, warning that the use of criminal defamation and cybercrime laws against journalists, bloggers, activists and human rights defenders threatens democratic freedoms.
It urged authorities to release Sowore, withdraw what it called “bogus charges” and stop using laws to silence dissenting voices, insisting that such actions are inconsistent with Nigeria’s constitutional and international obligations.
SERAP added that the continued detention of the activist could further damage Nigeria’s democratic image and create a chilling effect on civic engagement and press freedom.
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