By Chidiebere Ugwu
In response to increasing attacks on journalists and online dissenters in Nigeria, a coalition of Nigerian journalists and civic space defenders today launched the #DontPoliceMySpeech campaign a public demand for an end to the abuse of power and the criminalization of free speech by Nigerian authorities.
The campaign specifically highlighted the misuse and weaponization of the Cybercrimes Act in a bid to silence and prevent journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens from exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights to free speech and expression.
At least 25 journalists have been illegally arrested under the President Bola Tinubu administration which assumed office in May 2023. Regular citizens are not spared as well. Nigerians were all outraged by the illegal arrest and prosecution of an innocent woman, Ms. Okoli, for reviewing a tomato paste she bought with her money, using state resources.
The Civil Society Organizations that signed on the campaign in Accountability Lab Nigeria, Paradigm Initiative, SERAP, CJID, Dataphyte Foundation, Humangle Media, Tap Initiative, DigiCivic Initiative, Follow Taxes, Document Women, More Branches, Femme Mag, LightRay Media, Invictus Africa, Marie Claire, Document Women and Gatefield.
The group said the cases send a disturbing message that no one is safe for expressing their opinion.
The Cybercrimes Act, originally designed to combat online criminal activity, has morphed into a tool for silencing dissent. Despite its recent amendment, Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, continues to be misused by Nigerian security agencies in violation of the Nigerian constitution.
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The campaign has released a public service announcement (PSA) video and a set of posters that depict the several ways in which Nigerian security authorities have violated the rights of journalists and citizens in a bid to silence them.
Additionally, a peaceful march involving approximately 200 journalists, civil society organizations, and citizens was held at the Ministry of Justice, demanding an end to infringements on freedom of expression and unlawful arrests.
“Freedom of expression is entrenched in the Nigerian Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Nigeria is a signatory,” affirmed the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists during the march. Shirley Ewang, Advocacy Lead at Gatefield emphasized, “The stifling of the press and public discourse is authoritarian and undermines citizens’ rights to demand accountability. Nigerians are weary of these abuses under what is supposed to be a democratic government. We call on the Ministry of Justice to cease using taxpayers’ money to prosecute journalists for exercising their right to freedom of expression.”
The Key demands of the coalition include: immediate end to police abuse of power, Ensure justice is properly ordered, and Protection of fundamental rights for all Nigerians.
