By Solomon Nnaji 

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International (AI) have called on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the charges filed against activist Omoyele Sowore, as well as social media platforms X and Facebook.

In a joint letter dated September 20, 2025, the two organisations voiced concern over the growing use of court cases by state security agencies to intimidate and harass Nigerians.

They described the charges instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) against Sowore and the social media companies, that is allegedly linked to his critical posts about President Tinubu as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), which are often employed to silence dissenting voices.

According to SERAP and AI, SLAPPs create a chilling effect that stifles free expression and hinders the free exchange of ideas and information.

The groups urged President Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to withdraw the charges immediately. They also pressed for the drafting and presentation of anti-SLAPP legislation before the National Assembly to prevent misuse of the justice system and to protect citizens’ right to freedom of expression, which is a key foundation of democracy.

The letter, signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and Amnesty International Nigeria’s director, Isa Sanusi, emphasised that public officials, by virtue of their positions, must be more open to criticism.

The five-count charge against Sowore, filed under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Criminal Code Act, reportedly followed his refusal to take down posts critical of Tinubu.

Both organisations noted that Sowore has been a repeated target of such actions, accusing the DSS, acting on behalf of the Federal Government of a pattern of using legal tactics to suppress critics. They cited a similar case in May 2025, when Professor Pat Utomi, a former presidential candidate, was charged for allegedly attempting to form a “shadow government.”

SERAP and AI issued the administration a 7-day ultimatum, warning that failure to comply would prompt further legal steps at the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

They reiterated:

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, essential for personal liberty and democracy. It not only underpins democratic governance but also sustains a vibrant civil society. Any restrictions must be legal, legitimate, necessary, and proportionate, as provided in Nigeria’s Constitution and international treaties.”

The groups highlighted that both Nigerian and regional human rights courts have ruled that politicians should endure greater public scrutiny than ordinary citizens, and that defamation must not be weaponised to stifle dissent.

They also referenced the UN Human Rights Committee’s General Comment No. 34, which underscores the importance of unrestricted debate in public affairs. According to the Committee, criticism, even when deemed offensive to public figures, is not sufficient justification for penalties. Heads of state and government, it stressed, are not exempt from criticism and political opposition.

The Committee further urged states, including Nigeria, to decriminalise defamation, noting that criminal penalties are disproportionate and can violate freedom of expression.