The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors have jointly condemned the continued application of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act to target journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens for expressing dissenting views online.
In a statement issued on Sunday and co-signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare and NGE General Secretary Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the groups urged President Bola Tinubu to halt the “repressive” enforcement of the law, calling it a threat to democracy and press freedom.
“The persistent use of the Cybercrimes Act to detain and prosecute individuals for peaceful expression sends a dangerous signal that fundamental rights may be devalued under this administration,” the statement read.
The civil society group and the editors’ body decried what they described as an alarming pattern of repression, citing the frequent use of Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act—particularly its provisions on “cyberstalking”—to clamp down on dissenters, especially since the 2024 amendment.
“Rather than upholding democratic ideals, Nigerian authorities continue to deploy the Cybercrimes Act as a tool for silencing journalists, bloggers, opposition figures, and rights defenders,” the statement said.
They also expressed concern over the growing use of criminal defamation, arbitrary arrests, and strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), describing them as calculated attempts to stifle press freedom and public criticism.
“We are deeply troubled by the hostile environment being fostered by government agencies and politicians who resort to intimidation, malicious prosecutions, and harassment to muzzle critical voices,” the groups stated.
Highlighting international concerns, the statement referenced a 2022 judgment by the ECOWAS Court, which found Section 24 of the Act in violation of Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Despite this ruling, the groups argue, the 2024 amendment did little to rectify the vague and overly broad definitions within the Act.
“Words like ‘annoying,’ ‘obstructive,’ or ‘offensive’—now criminalized under the amended law—pose grave risks to legitimate journalism, particularly when factual reports republished online are targeted as criminal content,” they said.
They further warned that section 58’s definition of “cyberstalking” is so wide-ranging that it leaves the door open for abuse, particularly against the media.
The groups called on President Tinubu to instruct all security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services, to respect the rights of citizens to free expression. They also urged the Attorney General to lead reforms that will align the Cybercrimes Act with constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards.
“The National Assembly must act without delay to review and revise the Cybercrimes Act to protect media freedom and uphold Nigeria’s democratic obligations,” they concluded.
The organisations emphasized that journalism is not a crime and that journalists, bloggers, and human rights advocates play an indispensable role in holding power to account. “Freedom of expression includes ideas that may shock, offend, or disturb—and this right must be protected at all costs,” they said.
