LAGOS (CHATNEWSTV) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) on Sunday jointly called on President Bola Tinubu to “immediately end the use of the draconian Cybercrimes Act” to suppress freedom of expression, and to release all Nigerians detained under its provisions, including journalists, bloggers, and activists.
In a joint statement released after a press conference in Lagos to mark World Press Freedom Day, the groups condemned what they described as “an unprecedented pattern of arbitrary arrests, malicious prosecutions, and harassment of peaceful critics” by security agencies across the country.
“The use of the Cybercrimes Act to lock up people peacefully expressing their views sends a chilling message to Nigerians that rights won’t get priority under the Tinubu administration,” the statement read.
‘Weaponized to suppress dissent’
The press briefing, titled ‘Unchecked Injustice: How Authorities Are Weaponizing the Cybercrimes Act to Stifle Peaceful Dissent and Media Freedom in Nigeria’, was held at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, and attended by senior journalists, editors, civil society leaders, and media stakeholders.
According to SERAP and the NGE, since the 2024 amendment of the Cybercrimes Act, Nigerian authorities have “consistently used section 24 on ‘cyberstalking’ to harass, intimidate, arrest, and prosecute” critics, despite an earlier 2022 ruling by the ECOWAS Court declaring the provision “arbitrary, vague, and repressive.”
“The amended Act still fails to meet Nigeria’s constitutional and international obligations on human rights and press freedom,” said Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP Deputy Director.
“It has become a convenient tool to silence investigative journalism and legitimate public criticism.”
Rise in press attacks, drop in press freedom ranking
The groups cited recent statistics showing a disturbing trend. According to the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), 110 verified attacks against the press occurred in 2024 alone—already surpassing all of 2023. Meanwhile, Nigeria fell 10 places to 122nd in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.
“We’re deeply concerned by the growing hostility toward journalists,” said Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, General Secretary of the NGE.
“Stories that are true and factual are being labeled as ‘annoying’ or ‘offensive’ under the law, creating a chilling effect on public discourse.”
The groups noted that both online and traditional media outlets have come under pressure, particularly when stories are republished or rebroadcast online, often leading to criminal defamation suits or arrests under the Cybercrime Act.
‘Section 24 must go’
The core of the groups’ demand centers around section 24 of the amended Cybercrimes Act, which defines “cyberstalking” in broad terms as any conduct that would cause a “reasonable person to feel fear.” Critics say the language is too vague and open to abuse.
“Section 24 is being used to criminalize opinions, satire, and factual reporting,” said Oluwadare.
“It fails to distinguish between real harm and peaceful criticism.”
Despite a 2022 judgment by the ECOWAS Court ordering the Nigerian government to amend the provision, the 2024 version of the law has retained much of the problematic language.
Calls for action from all levels of government
The groups urged President Tinubu to take immediate steps to review and amend the Cybercrime Act and other repressive laws in line with the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
They also called on:
The Attorney General to push for urgent legislative reforms and ensure compliance with court rulings;
The National Assembly to comprehensively review and revise the Act;
The Nigeria Police Force and DSS to stop harassing journalists and drop all pending charges;
The international community to hold Nigeria accountable and demand the release of all those unlawfully detained.
“If the government is serious about its constitutional oath, it must allow Nigerians to speak freely without fear,” said Uwugiaren.
“Press freedom is not optional—it is essential for democracy.”
Stakeholders present
Among those who attended the event were top media executives, including Eze Anaba (President, NGE), Martins Oloja (former Editor-in-Chief, The Guardian), Bukola Coker (Channels TV), Ikechukwu Amaechi (The Niche), Mustapha Isa (Silverbird TV), and Hamza Idris (Daily Trust).
Others included editors from The Sun, News Telegraph, Radio Lagos, The Nation, Daily Independent, and Cool/Wazobia News.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
