By The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal Government to immediately and unconditionally release journalist and activist Omoyele Sowore and discontinue all criminal defamation and cybercrime charges against him.
SERAP made the call in a statement issued on Monday, June 22, 2026, following reports that a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of Sowore at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.
AfrikTimes also gathered that agents of the Department of State Services allegedly attempted to forcefully arrest Sowore and evacuate him from the court scene.
The court reportedly issued the remand order after dismissing Sowore’s application seeking the recusal of the judge from the case over allegations of bias.
In the statement signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the body expressed concern over what it described as an increasing restriction of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and press freedom in Nigeria.
“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,” SERAP said.
The organisation alleged that journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders, and activists continue to face harassment, criminal charges, and arbitrary detention for carrying out their legitimate work.
“Nigerian authorities at all levels increasingly use criminal defamation laws and other repressive laws to crackdown on human rights and peaceful dissent, bringing frivolous lawsuits against journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and activists,” the statement added.
SERAP also raised concerns over threats to journalists’ safety and the impact of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), harassment, and intimidation by security agencies and political actors.
The organisation called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to direct the Department of State Services (DSS) to respect the rights of citizens, including journalists, bloggers, activists, and human rights defenders.
“The administration should review laws like the Official Secrets Act, Criminal Code Act and Cybercrime Act for potential restrictions on free speech and press; and amend them in line with international human rights standards,” SERAP said.
SERAP further urged Nigerian authorities to stop what it described as the use of criminal defamation and cybercrime laws to target journalists and activists, insisting that Sowore should be released and all charges against him dropped.
