The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately withdraw all charges against journalist and activist Omoyele Sowore.
SERAP said the reported decision by the DSS to seek an adjournment of Sowore’s case until after the 2027 presidential election does not address what it described as the fundamental issue — that the charges should be withdrawn altogether.
In a statement by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said the DSS should not simply pause a politically sensitive prosecution for electoral convenience while leaving the charges hanging over Sowore.
“The appropriate response is to withdraw the charges altogether.”
SERAP said it was troubling that the DSS reportedly considered suspending the case only after the commencement of the 2027 election campaign.
The organisation argued that the right of citizens to participate in public affairs and criticise government officials should not depend on the electoral calendar or the discretion of security agencies.
According to SERAP, prosecuting Sowore over his social media comments concerning President Tinubu amounts to an unacceptable use of criminal law and judicial processes to intimidate or silence a prominent critic and political opponent.
The organisation maintained that public officials, including the President, must remain open to scrutiny and criticism in a democratic society.
It argued that offensive, harsh or politically inconvenient speech should not automatically result in criminal prosecution.
SERAP’s Demands
SERAP called on President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and the DSS to withdraw all charges against Sowore.
It also urged security and law-enforcement agencies to stop using criminal and judicial processes to harass, intimidate or silence journalists, activists, political opponents and other Nigerians peacefully exercising their rights.
The organisation further demanded that Sowore be allowed to participate fully and freely in political and public life without harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrest or reprisals.
SERAP also called for the Cybercrimes Act and other laws not to be used to criminalise peaceful criticism, political speech, journalism or legitimate human-rights activities.
It urged the government to review pending criminal cases against journalists, activists and political opponents arising principally from their peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, with a view to withdrawing charges that conflict with Nigeria’s constitutional and international human-rights obligations.
SERAP concluded by calling for greater protection of freedom of expression, freedom of association, political participation, media freedom, the rule of law and judicial independence as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
