Police arrested Nnamdi Chude for cyberstalking after a tweet claiming Soludo was involved in “rigging” National Assembly election.
The US Department of State’s 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Nigeria have shed light on the Nigerian government’s alarming restrictions on the freedom of expression of its citizens and media.
Despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of expression, including for the press and other media outlets, instances of governmental restriction persist, as outlined in the report.
According to the report, authorities have employed laws pertaining to libel, slander, blasphemy, and “insult to religion” to curtail speech.
Critics of the government have reported instances of threats, intimidation, arrest, detention, and even violence as repercussions for expressing dissenting views.
The report partly state, “Although the constitution and law provided for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media, in some cases the government restricted these rights.
“Authorities sometimes used laws against libel, slander, and blasphemy or “insult to religion” to restrict speech.
“Freedom of Expression: There were reported cases in which the government restricted the ability of individuals to criticize the government.
“Critics of the government reported at times being subjected to threats, intimidation, arrest, detention, and violence.
“The government used broad “cyberstalking” charges to arrest internet users who posted derogatory statements concerning public figures.
“On March 18, police arrested Nnamdi Chude for cyberstalking after he posted a tweet claiming Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo was involved in “rigging” the National Assembly election.
“He was later arraigned on a cyberstalking charge for claiming Emeka Offor, a businessman, had been asked by then-President-elect Tinubu to beg another candidate to accept the February election result,” the report added.
