The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have jointly demanded an immediate end to what they described as escalating intimidation, harassment, and misuse of state power against journalists, bloggers, activists, and civil society organisations across Nigeria.
The call was made on Wednesday during a press conference held in Ikeja, Lagos, to commemorate the International Human Rights Day.
Both organisations warned that Nigeria’s civic space and democracy are facing severe strain as federal and state authorities continue to rely on repressive laws, particularly the Cybercrimes Act and criminal defamation statutes, to silence dissent and restrict media freedom.
The event, themed ‘The Escalating Restrictions on Civic Space, Media Freedom and the Deterioration of Rule of Law in Nigeria,’ was jointly addressed by NGE General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, and SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The groups said the ongoing crackdown violates constitutional protections and contradicts Nigeria’s regional and international human rights obligations.
“Using repressive laws and SLAPP lawsuits to intimidate and harass journalists, activists, bloggers, and CSOs erodes democracy, respect for human rights, and the rule of law in Nigeria,” the organisations said.
Citing new global and local data, the NGE and SERAP raised alarm about the worsening condition of press freedom in the country.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Nigeria dropped 10 places in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, ranking 122nd, one of its worst positions in years.
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) also recorded 110 verified attacks on journalists in 2024, surpassing the total for all of 2023.
These attacks ranged from physical assaults and arrests to enforced disappearances, unlawful detentions, malicious prosecutions, and the weaponisation of legal frameworks.
“In August 2024 alone, at least 56 journalists were either assaulted or arrested while covering nationwide demonstrations.
“A major source of concern, they stressed, is the continued misuse of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024, especially Section 24, which addresses cyberstalking.
“Although the law was amended in response to previous criticism, authorities allegedly continue to interpret online content, such as investigative stories or opinion pieces, as annoying, offensive, or insulting to justify arbitrary arrests and detentions.
“Stories published online have been deemed offensive or annoying with actionable consequences, even when they are factual,” the groups said, insisting that Section 24 remains fundamentally inconsistent with constitutional guarantees of free speech.
The NGE and SERAP highlighted several recent incidents they said demonstrate how state agencies and political actors weaponise legal tools to persecute dissenters.
One of the most troubling cases, they said, is the prolonged detention of investigative journalist, Fejiro Oliver, publisher of Secret Reporters, who has been held since mid-September on cyberbullying allegations.
“In a similar incident, Azuka Ogujiuba, publisher of Media Room Hub, was arrested twice in Abuja in August after reporting on a court injunction involving a land transaction.
“She spent three days in detention, during which her phone was reportedly seized and searched.
“Another journalist, Sodeeq Atanda of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was detained for 11 hours in September over accusations of cyberbullying and criminal defamation.
“Beyond journalists, other public figures have also faced charges believed to be politically motivated.
“The Federal Government recently arraigned Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, alongside the owners of X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, over alleged anti-Tinubu posts, using both the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code,” the groups revealed.
They also criticised the Department of State Services (DSS) for what they described as a rising pattern of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP).
The groups cited a 2025 lawsuit filed by the DSS against Professor Pat Utomi, accusing him of setting up an illegal shadow government.
“SERAP itself was similarly sued by the DSS in October 2024 over claims of unauthorised office invasion.
“These suits are designed to harass, intimidate, and drain the resources of critics, constituting unnecessary and disproportionate interference with fundamental freedoms,” NGE and SERAP said.
The organisations argued that a culture of impunity is emboldening perpetrators of abuses and deepening Nigeria’s democratic decline.
With a lawsuit pending at the ECOWAS Court challenging aspects of the Cybercrimes Act, they warned that applying the law to silence dissent while the case is ongoing is unjustified.
They called on the Federal Government to, “Immediately release all journalists, activists, and citizens arrested or detained solely for peacefully exercising their rights.
“Withdraw all charges rooted in cyberstalking, criminal defamation, or other repressive provisions.
“Decriminalise defamation entirely and enact legislation that shields journalists and CSOs from SLAPP litigation.
“Ensure security agencies cease using legislation as a tool of intimidation.”
NGE and SERAP also urged President Bola Tinubu to publicly direct state governors, the Nigerian Police Force, and the DSS to adhere strictly to constitutional and international standards in their dealings with journalists and civil society actors.
Additionally, they called on the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive review of the Cybercrimes Act and other restrictive laws to bring them in line with Nigeria’s human rights commitments.
The event was attended by senior media leaders and civil society representatives, including NGE President, Eze Anaba, Richard Akinnola of the Media Law Centre, and Gbenga Adefaye, Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, among others.
All rights reserved. The content on this website, including text and other digital materials, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of The News Accelerator Network.
For advertising inquiries, news coverage, or press releases, please get in touch with us at
📧 thenewsacceleratornetwork@gmail.com
📞 08051017159, 08173970030
Kindly follow us on: https://www.facebook.com/thenewsaccelerator
You can also subscribe to our YouTube channels here: UCVELRC3WinKZ7tdmhmZaRmQhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/sub_confirmation=1
إرسال تعليق