The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors have called for immediate reforms to Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, citing its misuse to target journalists, bloggers, activists, and opposition voices.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday, Kolawole Oluwadare of SERAP and Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren of the Editors’ Guild urged President Bola Tinubu to halt the weaponization of the Act, release all individuals detained under its controversial provisions, and uphold constitutional guarantees of free expression.
The groups condemned the growing use of arbitrary arrests, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), and vague legal provisions to stifle dissent, warning that such practices endanger Nigeria’s democracy and international reputation.
They demanded legislative amendments within 30 days, judicial training on digital rights, and the repeal of sections criminalizing so-called “offensive” content. They also called for sanctions against security operatives abusing the law, stating that continued violations risk turning Nigeria into a digital autocracy.
“All eyes are now on the Tinubu administration to either reform this draconian law or perpetuate its abuse,” the statement concluded.
