CITAD urges FG to end violation of citizens’ digital rights

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on federal government and other stakeholders to bring to an end the continued harassment and detention of the citizens online in the country.

Program Officer, CITAD Digital Rights, Ali Sabo, made this call at a news conference, on Thursday in Kano.

Sabo said the harassments and continued detentions of citizens without following due process is negating the principles of democracy which is being practiced in Nigeria and absolute abuse of human rights of the citizens as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended.

“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 pave ways for digital development and guarantee citizens’ rights and protection on the internet.”

“When the Digital Rights Bill is passed, will guarantee application of human rights which apply offline within the digital environment and online and it will also ensure due process with regard to arrest of anybody deem to have committed any offence.”

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“This particular press conference is necessary due to the increasing 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.”

He emphasized that Nigeria Police should desist from arbitrary arrest of the citizens and ensure they follow due process in the arrest and detention of the citizens.

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“Nigeria Police should avoid the unlawful detention of the citizens and ensure every arrest made is with an order of a competent court, and anybody arrested for any offence shall be taken to court within specified period of time.”

“Civil Society Organizations should join hands to call on the Nigeria security agencies to stop the arbitrary arrest of the citizens without due process and also CSOs should collaboratively work together for a sustained advocacy to ensure the bill is passed and assented by the president.”

He also urged president Buhari to 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 security agencies.