The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, says it is concerned over reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja has revoked the bail granted to journalist and activist Omoyele Sowore in a cyberbullying case linked to social media posts about President Bola Tinubu.
In a post on X, the rights group also said the court reportedly issued a bench warrant for Sowore’s arrest over charges filed by the Department of State Services, DSS.
SERAP described the reported development as part of what it called a growing pattern of legal actions targeting activists, journalists and critics of government, warning that such measures could undermine democratic accountability and the rule of law.
The organisation said criticism of public officials is a fundamental part of democracy and argued that public office holders are expected to tolerate greater scrutiny than private citizens.
SERAP warned that the use of legal processes in ways seen as punitive could discourage journalists, civil society groups and citizens from exercising their rights to free expression and access to information.
The group also said continued prosecutions of government critics could create fear and self censorship, which it argued would be inconsistent with constitutional guarantees and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
According to SERAP, the reported revocation of bail raises concerns about due process, equality before the law and the presumption of innocence.
The organisation called on authorities to drop what it described as unjust charges against Sowore, reverse the reported revocation of bail and ensure that journalists and human rights defenders can carry out their work without intimidation or harassment.
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