Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has written to Meta Platforms Inc., urging the tech giant to reject a request reportedly made by Nigeria...
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has written to Meta Platforms Inc., urging the tech giant to reject a request reportedly made by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) seeking the deactivation of the Facebook account of former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 8, Effiong described the DSS’s move as “legally unfounded” and a grave threat to constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression in Nigeria.
The legal counsel argued that the laws cited by the security agency were inapplicable and that the content flagged by the DSS did not violate Meta’s community standards.
“It is imperative to state that the President of Nigeria, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom the SSS is unlawfully, wrongfully, and mischievously holding brief for, has not initiated any legal action against our client,” the statement read.
“If he feels that he has a reputation capable of being defamed, Mr. Tinubu ought to seek legal redress in court and put his character to the test.”
Effiong further accused the DSS of overstepping its legal mandate and using state apparatus to “massage the ego” of a public official.
“It is the height of impunity for an agency established by law to ensure the internal security of Nigeria to sycophantically deploy its instrumentality for the personal aggrandisement of a politician and a public office holder who is paid with public funds,” he stated.
Calling the DSS’s move an “egregious attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democratic journey and foist tyranny on the country,” Effiong urged Meta to see the demand for what it is — a politically motivated effort to silence dissent.
“We passionately urge Meta Platforms Inc. to reject the demand made by the SSS for the ban or deactivation of our client’s Facebook account(s),” the lawyer wrote.
“Acquiescing to the unlawful and draconian demands of the SSS will set a dangerous precedent and embolden the government to further clamp down on dissenting voices.”
Effiong concluded by urging Meta to uphold its commitment to freedom of expression, noting that such values should guide its decisions regarding content moderation and platform governance, especially in countries grappling with democratic backsliding.
As of press time, neither Meta nor the DSS had issued an official response to the letter.
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