Obey ECOWAS Court Judgement, Stop Prosecution For Cyberstalking – SERAP Tells Buhari

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the ECOWAS Court of Justice’s judgment to stop the prosecutions of anyone on the grounds of ‘insulting’ or ‘stalking’ public officials online.

In a statement on Sunday, Kolawole Oluwadare, the Deputy Director of SERAP, warned Buhari against shrinking the civic space through the usage of the Cybercrime Act and other repressive laws.

The group lamented the recent surge of the crackdown on media houses and freedom of speech by citizens.

SERAP cited the N5 million fine imposed on Channels Television for allegedly violating the National Broadcasting Commission code during an interview with the Labour Party Vice Presidential Candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed and other recent cases of attack on free speech and media.

It said, “Many Nigerians and media houses continue to face threats simply for speaking out and seeking to peacefully exercise their human rights and carry out their professional duties. This situation is contrary to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the judgments by the ECOWAS Court.”