- SERAP lawsuit: SERAP has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian government and its governors over the misuse of the Cybercrimes Act.
- Cybercrime Act provisions: The lawsuit challenges the legality and compatibility of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 with human rights.
- Repressive provisions: SERAP argues that the Act’s provisions are arbitrary, vague, and repressive, and have been used to harass and prosecute journalists, bloggers, and activists.
- ECOWAS Court ruling: The ECOWAS Court had previously ruled that section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015 was arbitrary, vague, and repressive.
- SERAP demands: SERAP is seeking a declaration that the provisions of the Act are unlawful and incompatible with international human rights law, and an order directing the government to repeal or amend the Act.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the government of President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s 36 governors over the misuse of the Cybercrimes Act. The lawsuit, filed at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, challenges the legality of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 and its compatibility with human rights .
SERAP argues that the Act’s provisions are arbitrary, vague, and repressive, and have been used to harass, intimidate, and prosecute journalists, bloggers, social media users, and activists. The organization is seeking a declaration that the provisions of the Act are unlawful and incompatible with international human rights law.
The lawsuit also requests an order directing the government to repeal or amend the Act to align with Nigeria’s human rights obligations. SERAP is concerned that the Act’s provisions have created a chilling effect on freedom of expression and have been used to stifle legitimate criticism and dissent.
The ECOWAS Court had previously ruled that section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015 was arbitrary, vague, and repressive, and ordered Nigerian authorities to repeal it. However, the new Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 has not addressed these concerns, and SERAP is seeking to hold the government accountable for its actions.
