SERAP, Amnesty International Urge Tinubu to Withdraw Charges Against Sowore, Social Media Platforms

SERAP and Amnesty International have urged Tinubu to withdraw charges against Sowore and social media platforms.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International Nigeria have called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately withdraw criminal charges filed against activist Omoyele Sowore, as well as social media platforms X and Facebook, over posts deemed critical of the President.

In a joint letter dated September 20, 2025, signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare and Amnesty International Nigeria director Isa Sanusi, the groups accused the government of misusing judicial processes to silence dissent.

They urged Tinubu to restrain the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies from weaponising the justice system, stressing that such actions undermine the Nigerian Constitution and violate international human rights obligations.

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The organisations also advised the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to introduce an anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) bill before the National Assembly, aimed at preventing the use of lawsuits to stifle free speech.

According to the letter, two charges against Sowore were filed under the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024, while three others; criminal defamation, causing public fear, and disturbance were brought under the Criminal Code Act.

The charges, lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 16, followed Sowore’s alleged refusal to delete posts critical of Tinubu.

SERAP and Amnesty International warned that criminal defamation lawsuits are neither necessary nor proportionate, adding that they create a chilling effect on citizens’ right to free expression.