BREAKING: SERAP Threatens To Sue Buhari’s Govt Over ‘Illegal Indefinite Suspension’ Of Twitter In Nigeria
SERAP, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has announced that it will challenge the Nigerian government over Twitter’s indefinite suspension.
The Nigerian government halted the microblogging and social networking service’s activities in Nigeria indefinitely on Friday.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant Segun Adeyemi, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed announced the suspension, claiming the “consistent use of the platform for actions that are capable of damaging Nigeria’s corporate existence.”
The Federal Government has also asked the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to begin the process of licensing all OTT and social media businesses in Nigeria, according to the Minister.
President Muhammadu Buhari vowed to treat Nigerians who were “misbehaving” in “the language they understand” in a tweet that was later deleted by Twitter.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Buhari claimed that his government would be “harder” on those who seek to ruin the country.
The remark was removed from Twitter on Wednesday after considerable outcry.
The website said that the Nigerian President’s speech broke its guidelines.
“We’re suing Nigerian authorities over their ILLEGAL indefinite shutdown of Twitter in Nigeria,” SERAP tweeted shortly after the government’s suspension.
“Nigerians have a right to freedom of expression and access to information including online, and we plan to fight to keep it that way.
“@NigeriaGov, we’ll see you in court.”
