Stop DSS Threat To Ban 𝕏 – SERAP Tells Tinubu

Stop DSS Threat To Ban 𝕏 – SERAP Tells Tinubu
Group warns ban over Sowore’s comments violates freedom of expression.
ECOWAS court ruling cited as DSS pressure faces legal challenge.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order the Department of State Services (DSS) to withdraw its threat to ban the social media platform 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) following remarks made by activist Omoyele Sowore.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a statement on Sunday, SERAP described the DSS warning as an attack on freedom of expression and media rights. The organisation said banning 𝕏 would amount to “collective punishment” against millions of Nigerians who rely on the platform for information and communication.

The group reminded authorities that the ECOWAS Court of Justice has already recognised access to Twitter as a fundamental human right. It also noted that Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights all guarantee freedom of expression.

“The DSS should stop pressuring 𝕏 to censor online content, in violation of privacy, freedom of expression, media freedom, and access to information. We will see the administration in court if the threat is not immediately withdrawn,” SERAP stated.

The organisation compared the current threat to the 2021 suspension of Twitter under former President Muhammadu Buhari, which the ECOWAS Court declared unlawful.

SERAP emphasised that any restriction on online speech must meet standards of legality, necessity, proportionality, and legitimacy under Nigerian and international law.

Quoting the UN Human Rights Committee, the group stressed that public officials are legitimately subject to criticism and political opposition. It warned that censorship would set a dangerous precedent and vowed to challenge the DSS in court to safeguard Nigerians’ rights online and offline.

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