Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has raised a strong alarm over what he describes as a dangerous and growing culture among Nigerian celebrities and public figures of deploying security agencies against social media users.
In a statement posted on his official X page, Sowore criticised what he described as the growing use of security agencies against social media users over online comments and criticism, noting that some Nigerian celebrities now appear more willing to involve law enforcement agencies in disputes arising from internet banter, criticism and social media comments.
He argued that the increasing criminalisation of online speech, jokes and trolling posed serious concerns for freedom of expression and democratic rights. “This growing culture of criminalizing speech, jokes, criticism, trolling, and online banter is dangerous to democracy and fundamentally incompatible with freedom of expression,” Sowore stated.
The activist cited recent high-profile cases, including the arrest of three content creators over a viral claim involving UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu, insisting that disputes over online content are civil matters and not grounds for criminal arrest and detention.
Sowore noted that public figures globally face harsh criticism without deploying police against their critics, adding that “only in Nigeria would a billionaire public figure attempt to use a compromised police system to detain other content creators for expressing unflattering views.” Sahara Reporters
He called on security agencies to uphold constitutional rights and resist being weaponised by the powerful against ordinary Nigerians.
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