The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) have jointly called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to end the use of the Cybercrimes Act against journalists, activists and critics expressing their views online.
In a statement issued following a press conference held at the Radisson Hotel Ikeja to mark World Press Freedom Day, the groups described the legislation as draconian and harmful to democracy.
They said, The use of the Cybercrimes Act to lock up people peacefully expressing their views sends a chilling message to Nigerians that rights will not get priority under the Tinubu administration.
They added that laws failing to meet constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards erode democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.
The groups said Nigerian authorities at all levels must demonstrate tolerance for peaceful dissent and media freedom if they are to be held accountable for their oaths of office and public promises.
We are concerned that authorities have continued to use the Cybercrimes Act to normalise repression of the rights of journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders, opposition politicians, artists and other citizens the statement read.
They also criticized the use of the National Broadcasting Commission’s broadcasting code as a tool to intimidate and harass the media.
SERAP and NGE urged the Attorney General to advise President Tinubu to comply with court judgments including the ECOWAS Court’s directive to repeal the Cybercrimes Act and align it with international human rights obligations.
They further called on the National Assembly to comprehensively review and amend the Cybercrimes Act and other restrictive laws. State governors were also urged to ensure that security agencies drop charges against journalists and critics and to end arbitrary closures of media outlets.
