SERAP Vows To Sue President Buhari Over ‘Illegal Twitter Suspension’ In Nigeria

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has vowed to sue President Muhammadu Buhari over the indefinite suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Federal Government had suspended Twitter operations indefinitely in Nigeria on Friday, June 4, 2021.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed said the government was forced to act because of “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.

Reacting in a statement on Friday, SERAP threatened to sue the Nigerian Government over the Twitter ban which it described as a threat to human rights.

“We’re suing Nigerian authorities over their illegal indefinite suspension of Twitter in Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“Nigerians have a right to freedom of expression and access to information including online, and we plan to fight to keep it that way. Nigeria, we’ll see in court.”

The suspension comes just two days after Twitter deleted President Buhari’s tweet which threatened to deal with “those misbehaving today” like Nigerian soldiers treated the “pro-Biafran secessionist” during the civil war which claimed over 3 million lives.

Twitter said the offensive tweet violated the social media company’s abusive behavior policy, leading to a 12-hour suspension of President Buhari’s account.

Meanwhile, Facebook has also joined Twitter in removing President Buhari’s civil war controversial message on its platform, saying that it violates its standards and capable if inciting violence.