SERAP, editors raise alarm over ‘escalating crackdown’ on press and civic freedoms
By Chris Uba
Lagos, Nigeria — Human rights watchdog Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have accused the federal and state authorities of orchestrating an “escalating campaign of intimidation” against journalists, activists, bloggers and civil society groups, warning that the trend is pushing Nigeria toward a dangerous decline in democratic freedoms.
The two organisations made the declaration in Lagos on Tuesday during a press conference marking the 2024 International Human Rights Day, where they urged President Bola Tinubu, state governors, security agencies and lawmakers to “immediately halt the ongoing harassment and arbitrary detention of citizens peacefully exercising their rights.”
‘Repressive laws are eroding Nigerian democracy’
SERAP and NGE warned that the government’s increasing reliance on the Cybercrimes Act, criminal and penal codes, and a surge in strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) has created a hostile environment for free expression.
“Using repressive laws and SLAPP lawsuits to intimidate the media and civic actors erodes democracy and the rule of law,” the groups said. They insisted that the crackdown violates both the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights treaties.
A lawsuit challenging key provisions of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 is already before the ECOWAS Court. Until a ruling is delivered, SERAP argued, law enforcement agencies “should not weaponize the amended Act to silence peaceful dissent.”
Chilling statistics as arrests surge
The groups painted a grim picture of press freedom in 2024 and 2025:
- At least 56 journalists were assaulted or arrested during protests in August 2024 alone.
- Nigeria dropped 10 places to rank 122nd on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index.
- The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) recorded 110 verified press attacks in 2024 — already more than the entire tally for 2023.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that at least three journalists have been detained since August for alleged violations of the Cybercrime Act, despite its recent amendments.
SERAP and NGE say these figures represent “an unprecedented pattern of arbitrary arrests, detentions and malicious prosecutions,” targeting online writers, investigative reporters and human rights defenders.
Journalists arrested, phones seized, newsrooms targeted
Documented incidents include:
- Fejiro Oliver (Tega Gobernadora), investigative journalist, arrested in Abuja and flown to Asaba on cyberbullying charges. He has been behind bars since September.
- Azuka Francisca Ogujiuba, publisher of Media Room Hub, arrested twice over a report on a land dispute. She was detained for three days and had her phone seized for five days.
- Sodeeq Atanda, FIJ reporter, detained for 11 hours in Ekiti State after a vice-chancellor petitioned the police over sexual harassment allegations reported by FIJ.
SERAP and NGE say these cases illustrate a sweeping misuse of police powers and the justice system “to frighten journalists into silence.”
SLAPP lawsuits on the rise — even against SERAP
Security agencies and politicians are increasingly filing lawsuits that critics say are designed to punish dissent rather than address genuine legal concerns.
Among them:
- A 2025 suit by the DSS accusing Professor Pat Utomi of attempting to “usurp presidential powers” by proposing a shadow government.
- A SLAPP suit filed by DSS operatives in 2024 against SERAP over alleged unauthorized office invasion.
- New criminal charges against activist Omoyele Sowore, with the federal government also listing X and Facebook owners as co-defendants over allegedly “anti-Tinubu” posts.
“These cases show the growing weaponisation of the courts to harass perceived opponents,” SERAP and NGE said.
Calls for urgent reforms
The groups urged:
- Immediate release of all journalists, activists and bloggers detained for peaceful expression.
- Withdrawal of frivolous charges and SLAPP suits filed by security agencies.
- Decriminalisation of defamation in Nigerian law.
- A comprehensive review of the Cybercrimes Act and other repressive legislation by the National Assembly.
- Stronger protections for journalists, CSOs and critics from legal harassment.
They also called on President Tinubu to direct state governors, the Police and DSS to “uphold the rights of all Nigerians” and ensure full respect for press freedom, peaceful assembly and access to information.
Growing concern from stakeholders
The press conference at Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, was attended by senior editors, media executives, civil society leaders and representatives of major news organisations, including Vanguard, The Sun, ThisDay, Channels TV, Arise TV, VON, NAN, Guardian, BusinessDay and others. Participants pledged to collaborate on pushing for reforms and defending civic space.
