RismadarVoice Reporters, June 22, 2026
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Federal Government to immediately release activist and journalist, Omoyele Sowore, and withdraw all criminal defamation and cybercrime charges filed against him.
The demand follows a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja ordering Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of an application seeking a stay of execution of an earlier order revoking his bail.
In a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP expressed concern over what it described as a growing crackdown on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and media freedom in Nigeria.
The organisation argued that Sowore was being detained solely for exercising his constitutional rights and urged the Federal Government to discontinue the prosecution and release him unconditionally.
According to SERAP, authorities should stop using criminal defamation and cybercrime laws to target journalists, bloggers, activists, and human rights defenders carrying out legitimate activities.
The group also warned that increasing cases of arrests, prosecutions, and intimidation of critics could have a chilling effect on free speech and democratic participation, stressing that public officials must be open to scrutiny and criticism in a democratic society.
SERAP further called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that Sowore and other activists are able to carry out their activities without fear of arrest, harassment, or reprisals. It also urged the government to review laws such as the Official Secrets Act, Criminal Code Act, and Cybercrime Act to align them with international human rights standards.
Sowore is currently facing prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged criminal defamation after reportedly describing President Tinubu as “a criminal” in posts on his social media accounts. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Meanwhile, some of Sowore’s supporters have alleged that DSS operatives attempted to take him into custody within the court premises following Monday’s proceedings.
