CITAD Decries Alleged Harassment, Detention of Citizens Online 

By Ozumi Abdul

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has drawn the attention of the Nigerian authority and other stakeholders to what it described as the ‘harassment of citizens online’.

CITAD disclose this on Wednesday during a press conference organized in Kano state.

While speaking, the Program Officer, Digital Rights, Ali Sabi noted that these harassments of citizens online are usually perpetuated without resorting to due process, adding that the action is negating the principles of democracy in the country, as well as absolutely abusing human rights according to the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended.

He recalled that the organization held a similar conference last month which called on the government to assent to the Digital Rights Bill in the country to pave ways for digital development and guaranteed citizens’ rights and protection on the internet.

The program officer rued that if the Digital Rights Bill if being passed it will ensure the guaranteed application of human rights which apply offline within the digital environment and online, and it will also ensure due process with the regard to arrest of anybody deem to have committed any offense.

He added that the press conference to the increased arrest of Nigerian citizens by security agencies on the order of some state governors.

He particularly pointed out the case of December 11th when he said a particular minor; Umar Garba was arrested by Nguru Local Government Area, Yobs State over alleged defamation of character of the Yobe State Governor, Maimala Buni, adding that the boy was in the police detention for more than two weeks without warrant of arrest or being tried.

“This press conference is organized to draw the attention of the Nigerian authorities and other stakeholders to bring to an end the continued harassment and detention of the citizens online in the country.

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

“Gentlemen of the press you will remember that last month, specifically on the 30th of November, 2022 we held a similar press conference to call on Nigeria.

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

“This particular press conference is necessary due to the increased 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 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.

A similar case had also happened in Kano State where two Tiktokers were arrested, detained, and beaten for alleged defamation of character of the Kano State”, he added.