The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International Nigeria have called on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw criminal charges against activist Omoyele Sowore, as well as the social media platforms X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, related to alleged anti-Tinubu posts.
This request was made in a joint letter dated September 20, 2025, signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and Amnesty International Nigeria’s director, Isa Sanusi.
The organizations urged Tinubu to prevent the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies from misusing judicial processes to silence dissent. They also called for the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to propose an anti-SLAPP law to protect public criticism.
The letter stated, “The weaponization of the justice system to crack down on peaceful dissent is inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international human rights obligations.”
Charges against Sowore, filed on September 16, include counts under the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Criminal Code Act, following his refusal to delete posts critical of President Tinubu.
SERAP and Amnesty warned that such lawsuits create a chilling effect on free expression, stating, “SLAPP and criminal defamation lawsuits are neither necessary nor proportionate.”
The letter highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the use of SLAPP lawsuits by the DSS, noting that such actions threaten democracy and the rule of law by limiting public participation.
In conclusion, the groups urged the President to take action within seven days, warning that failure to do so may lead to legal actions, including before the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
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