CITAD Decries Alleged Harassment, Detention Of Citizens Online By Government Authority

CITAD Decries Alleged Harassment, Detention Of Citizens Online By Government Authority

By Ozumi Abdul

AREWA AGENDA – The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has drawn the attention of the Nigerian authority and other stakeholders to what it described as the ‘harassment of citizens online’.

The organization disclose this on Wednesday during a press conference organized in Kano state.

While speaking, the Program Officer
Digital Rights Ali Sabi noted that these harassment of citizen online are usually perpetuated without resort to due process, adding that the action is negating the principles of democracy in the country, as well as absolutely abusing human rights according to the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amend.

He recalled that the organization held similar conference last month which called on the government to assent to Digital rights Bill in the country to pave ways for digital development and guaranteed citizens’ rights and protection on the internet.

Sabo rued that if the Digital Rights Bill if being passed it will ensure guaranteed application of the human rights which apply offline within the digital environment and online, and it will also ensure due process with the regard to arrest of anybody deem to have committed any offence.

He added that the press conference to the increased arrest of the Nigerian citizens by security agencies on the order of some state governors.

He particularly pointed out the case of December 11th when he said a particular minor, Umar Garba was arrested by Nguru Local Government Area, Yobs State over an alleged defamation of character of the Yobe State Governor, Maimala Buni, adding that the boy was in the police detention for more than two weeks without warrant of arrest or being tried.

The full text of the press conference

PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE CONTINUED HARASSMENT AND DETENTION OF CITIZENS ONLINE BY THE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY ORGANIZED BY THE CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT
28th December, 2022
Gentlemen of the press, it is my honor and privilege to welcome you on behalf of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) to this press conference which is being organized to draw the attention of the Nigerian authorities and other stakeholders to bring to an end the continued harassment and detention of the citizens online in the country. These harassments and continued detentions of the citizens without following due process is negating the principles of democracy which is being practiced in Nigeria and absolute abuse of the human rights of the citizens as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended.
Gentlemen of the press you will remember that last month, specifically on the 30th of November, 2022 we held a similar press conference to call on the Nigeria Government to assent to the Digital rights Bill in the Country which will paves ways for digital development and guaranteed citizens’ rights and protection on the internet. The Digital Rights Bill if being passed will ensure guarantee application of the human rights which apply offline within the digital environment and online and it will also ensure due process with the regard to arrest of anybody deem to have committed any offence.
This particular press conference is necessary due to the increased of arrest of citizens by the Nigerian security agencies on the order of some state governors. To highlight some of the examples, on the 11th of December, 2022, a minor named Umar Garba was arrested in Nguru Local Government Area, Yobe State over an alleged defamation of character of the Yobe State Governor, Maimala Buni. The boy was held captive by the Nigeria Police for more than two weeks without a court order or any arrest warrant. Similarly, the boy was not taken to court up to the time of his release
It would be recalled that another youth, a 500 level student of the Federal University, Dutse, Aminu Adamu was also arrested last month over alleged defamation of character of the wife of the president, Mrs. Aisha Buhari. Similar case had also happened in Kano State were two Tiktokers were arrested, detained and beaten for alleged defamation of character of the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. If these arrests are allowed to continue the country is going to be turned into an authoritarian one where citizens will not have the rights to express themselves online.
.These arbitrary arrests of the citizens are against the Nigerian constitution and international covenant of human and people’s rights. Section IV of the Nigerian Constitution has clearly stated that:
Any person who is arrested or detained in accordance with section (1) (C) of this section shall be brought before a court of law within reasonable time. The expression of reasonable time under this section means:
In case of an arrest or detention in any place where there is court of competent jurisdiction within a radius of 40 kilometres, a period of one day; and
In any other case, a period of two days or such longer period as in the circumstances may be considered by the court to be reasonable
Digital Rights are the logical and legitimate extension of our fundamental human rights. They are therefore protected in our constitution and all the international instruments on human to which Nigeria is a signatory and the country is duty bound to accord the same respect to rights online as rights offline.
Consequently, , we call on the following stakeholders to adhere to the followings:
The Nigeria Police should desist from arbitrary arrest of the citizens and ensure they are following due process in the arrest and detention of the citizens
The Nigeria Police should avoid the unlawful detention of the citizens and ensure every arrest made is with an order of a competent court
Anybody arrested for any offence shall be taken to court within specified period of time as in the Nigeria constitution
The president should ensure the speedy assent of the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill as soon as it is transmitted to him as this will bring an end to the arbitrary arrest of the citizens by the Nigerian Security Agencies
Civil Society Organizations should join hands to call on the Nigeria security agencies to stop the arbitrary arrest of the citizens without due process
CSOs should collaboratively work together for an sustained advocacy to ensure the bill is to be passed and assented by the president

Ali Sabo
Program Officer
Digital Rights

 
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