Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has called on Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham to secure the immediate release of arrested social media influencer Big Ayo.
Effiong condemned the use of a corrupt state institution to retaliate against Ayo for purportedly insulting the actress online.
He highlighted the distinction between defamation of character and cyberstalking, noting that many cybercrime charges related to online insults are often dismissed in court.
Big Ayo had accused Toyin Abraham of orchestrating the arrest of his mother, a claim which the actress denied, stating she merely reported a cybercrime case as a concerned citizen.
Effiong, in his post on his official X handle, urged Abraham not to be misled by the police and cited recent examples where similar cyberstalking charges were thrown out in court. He emphasized that public figures should not exploit state mechanisms to settle personal grievances.
However, Effiong in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, urged Toyin not to be deceived by the police, as most of the so-called cybercrime charges filed because of insults on the internet will be thrown out in court.
According to him, whatever the grievances may be, Toyin as a public figure and celebrity, using the apparatus of a corrupt and oppressive state institution to witch-hunt a fellow Nigerian for insulting her is unacceptable.
He stated, “Good morning, @toyin_abraham1
“I am urging you to immediately secure the release of Ayo. Defamation of character is different from cyberstalking. It seems many people do not know this. Don’t let the police deceive you. Most of these so-called cybercrime charges that are being filed because of insults on the internet will be thrown out in court.
“Just on Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja discharged Agba Jalingo on charges of cyberstalking. Jalingo stood trial for two years because his organization, Cross River Watch, published an article alleging that a relative of the immediate past governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, had hired an impersonator to write Law School examination for her.
“The police was very confident that they had a case, but they lost like they mostly do in similar cases. If you feel that you’ve been defamed, approach the civil court.
“Whatever your grievances may be, you are a public figure and a celebrity. Using the apparatus of a corrupt and oppressive State institution to witch-hunt a fellow Nigerian for insulting you is unacceptable.
“I have seen that you also made unpleasant and derogatory comments towards Ayo. How do you think that will play out in the court if the gentleman is arraigned? Are you sure you’re ready to go through the rigors of the court system?
“I hope you’ll listen to the voice of reason before this gets out of hands. I read that the mother of Ayo was also targeted in the process of the police arresting him, if that is the case, you may have just bought yourself a serious lawsuit because arrest in lieu is illegal under the law.
“Do not listen to those cheering you up, even Buhari’s cyberstalking charge against Sowore did not yield anything.
“Do the right thing now,” he added.
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