Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project calls on Federal Government to free Sowore and withdraw allegations.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project is urging the Federal Government to take immediate action and release activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore, while also dropping all criminal defamation and cybercrime charges brought against him, following his recent remand by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

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Justice Mohammed Umar made the decision to remand Sowore at the Kuje Correctional Centre on Monday, pending the outcome of his application to stay the execution of an earlier order that revoked his bail, and also dismissed an application seeking his recusal from the case due to alleged bias.

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In response to these developments, SERAP issued a statement on Monday, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, expressing concern that Sowore's detention is a result of him peacefully exercising his fundamental rights.

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According to SERAP, the Nigerian authorities' escalating crackdown on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and media freedom, as well as their disregard for the rule of law, is a cause for concern, as stated in the organisation's statement, which noted that "we are concerned about the escalating crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and media freedom and the flagrant disregard for the rule of law by Nigerian authorities).

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SERAP is calling on the Tinubu administration to discontinue Sowore's prosecution and release him without any conditions, emphasizing that the authorities must immediately release Sowore and drop all the charges against him.

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The organisation believes that authorities are using criminal defamation and cybercrime laws to target and attack journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders, and activists, and that this practice must stop, as it is deterring them from doing their jobs.

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Journalists, bloggers, activists, and human rights defenders are increasingly facing criminal charges and arbitrary detention for carrying out legitimate work and exercising their rights, according to SERAP, which also alleges that authorities are relying on restrictive laws to suppress criticism and peaceful dissent.

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SERAP expressed concern about the persistent threats to journalists' safety and the potential chilling effect of strategic lawsuits against public participation and harassment, including those by security agencies and politicians.

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The rights group warned that the impunity for those who intimidate or harass journalists and activists is worsening the environment for the defence of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, and that public officials should be open to scrutiny and criticism in a democratic society.

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As stated by SERAP, the right to criticise public officials and government policies is a fundamental component of any democratic society, and public officials must tolerate a greater degree of scrutiny and criticism than private individuals.

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SERAP emphasized that legal processes should never be used to punish, intimidate, or silence dissenting voices or those engaged in legitimate public-interest advocacy, and that this principle is essential for a healthy democracy.

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The organisation is calling on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that Sowore and others can carry out their activities without fear of arrest, intimidation, or reprisals, and to put an end to the growing authoritarian practices in the country.

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SERAP also urged the government to uphold the rule of law and ensure respect for human rights, including the rights to liberty, a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of association, and peaceful assembly, for all individuals in Nigeria.

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The group is further urging the government to review the Official Secrets Act, Criminal Code Act, and Cybercrime Act, arguing that these laws contain provisions that may restrict free speech and press freedom, and should be aligned with international human rights standards.

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Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over alleged criminal defamation, after he reportedly described President Bola Tinubu as "a criminal" in posts on his X and Facebook accounts, and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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Following Monday's proceedings, some of Sowore's supporters alleged that DSS operatives attempted to take him into custody within the court premises, despite the remand order.