SERAP urges FG to release Sowore, drop charges

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Nigerian Federal Government to immediately release activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore and withdraw all criminal defamation and cybercrime charges against him. Sowore was recently remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his application to stay the execution of an order revoking his bail.

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We are concerned about the escalating crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and media freedom and the flagrant disregard for the rule of law by Nigerian authorities.

SERAP stated that Sowore is being detained solely for peacefully exercising his fundamental rights. The organization expressed concern about the escalating crackdown on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and media freedom, as well as a flagrant disregard for the rule of law by Nigerian authorities. SERAP urged the Tinubu administration to discontinue the prosecution and release Sowore unconditionally.

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Nigerian authorities must immediately release Sowore and drop all the bogus charges against him.

The organization warned that Nigerian authorities must stop weaponizing criminal defamation and cybercrime laws to target journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders, and activists. SERAP highlighted that these individuals increasingly face criminal charges and arbitrary detention for carrying out legitimate work and exercising their rights. The group alleged that authorities are relying on restrictive laws to suppress criticism and peaceful dissent, contributing to a chilling effect on constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and worsening impunity for those who intimidate or harass journalists and activists.

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Authorities must stop weaponizing criminal defamation and cybercrime laws to target and attack journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and activists and stop detaining and imprisoning them solely for doing their jobs.