Lawyer Challenge DSS Demand to Ban Sowore’s Facebook Account Omoyele
By Comr Ochokwunu Daniel Edor
In a significant legal stance for freedom of expression, Enebehe Effiong, an Akwa Ibom based lawyer representing activist Omoyele Sowore, has formally responded to a controversial request made by Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) aimed at banning Sowore’s Facebook account. The SSS, which also refers to itself as the Department of State Services (DSS), has been accused of making an unlawful demand that threatens the constitutionally protected rights of Nigerian citizens.
In the letter addressed to Meta Platforms Inc., Effiong argues that the SSS’s request is not only “legally unfounded” but also represents a serious threat to freedom of expression in the country. He emphasized that the laws cited by the SSS are irrelevant in this context and that the social media post in question does not violate Meta’s Community Standards.
Effiong highlighted that Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for whom the SSS ostensibly advocates, has not pursued any legal action against Sowore, suggesting that if the President believes his reputation is at stake, he should seek redress in a court of law. “It is the height of impunity for an agency established to ensure Nigeria’s internal security to misuse its power for the personal aggrandizement of a politician,” Effiong stated.
The attorney underscored the grave implications of yielding to the SSS’s demands, asserting that it would signal a precedent for further government-led suppression of dissenting voices. He urged Meta to recognize the SSS’s demand as a politically motivated attempt to silence criticism and control public discourse in Nigeria.
“We passionately urge Meta Platforms Inc. to reject the SSS’s demand. Censoring our Client’s voice is an affront to democracy and a violation of fundamental rights,” Effiong concluded.
The ongoing developments showcase the ongoing tensions surrounding freedom of expression in Nigeria, amplifying the discourse about the responsibility of social media platforms in upholding democratic principles amidst governmental pressures.
