SERAP, NGE Accuse Tinubu Government of Misusing Cybercrimes Act to Target Journalists
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have accused President Bola Tinubu’s government of misusing the Cybercrimes Act to target journalists, critics, and citizens who express dissenting opinions.
The criticism was made at a press conference held on Saturday at the Radisson Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, to mark World Press Freedom Day.
The organizations condemned what they described as the repeated misuse of the Cybercrimes Act to arrest and imprison individuals expressing peaceful opinions online.
They pointed out that the amended Cybercrimes Act, especially Section 24 on cyberstalking, has become a tool used by the government to suppress opposition, censor the media, and instill fear among those who dare to challenge authority.
The law, they argued, is vague, arbitrary, and open to abuse, creating a stifling atmosphere for freedom of expression in the country.
SERAP and NGE called for an immediate end to the use of the Cybercrimes Act to detain peaceful voices and demanded the release of all those currently held under its provisions. They stated that the continued use of the law demonstrates that constitutional rights are not a priority for the current government and warned that democracy cannot thrive where free speech is punished through manipulated laws.
The press briefing, themed Unchecked Injustice: How Authorities Are Weaponizing the Cybercrimes Act to Stifle Peaceful Dissent and Media Freedom in Nigeria, highlighted the growing concern over Nigeria’s shift towards authoritarianism.
The groups raised alarm over the increasing arrests, detentions, and prosecutions of journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders, and opposition figures under the guise of combating cybercrime.
They stated: “Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act 2024 represents a harshly punitive attempt to address the problems relating to stalking and harassment, and the Act fails to provide sufficient safeguards against misuse, particularly for the peaceful and legitimate exercise of freedom of expression and investigative journalism.”
They further criticized the ambiguity in the law, saying: “What constitutes ‘causing a breakdown of law and order’ is also unclear, threatening to punish peaceful and legitimate expression and opening the provisions up to abuse.”
According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Nigeria has fallen to 122nd in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, a drop of 10 places.
The 2023 and 2024 Freedom House reports on Nigeria also noted a decline in internet freedom of expression due to the arbitrary arrests and detentions of bloggers following the enactment and amendment of the Cybercrimes Act in 2024. Many of these individuals are still held in various police stations or awaiting trial in courts.
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) Press Attack Tracker reported 110 verified attacks on the press in 2024, surpassing the total number of attacks in 2023 by the third quarter of the year.
In response, the organizations called on President Bola Tinubu and his government to review the Cybercrimes Act and other restrictive laws, amending them to align with constitutional and international human rights standards. They also urged the government to stop using the law to arrest journalists, bloggers, and activists.
They further demanded that the Attorney General push for legislative reforms to ensure the laws comply with Nigeria’s constitutional and international obligations. The groups also urged the National Assembly to revise any legislation that restricts free speech and media freedom.
The organizations placed responsibility on state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to end arbitrary media shutdowns and ensure that all charges against media professionals are dropped promptly.
They appealed to the international community to hold Nigerian authorities accountable, urging global bodies to demand the release of individuals detained for peacefully exercising their rights.
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