Lawyer Inibehe Effiong has expressed support for activist Omoyele Sowore in his fight against the request to remove his Facebook page made by Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS).
DSS's request to close Sowore's page
The Nigerian Department of State Services (DSS) sent a request to Meta seeking to close the Facebook account of activist Omoyele Sowore. The letter, signed by Uwem Davies, accused Sowore of spreading misinformation and threatening national security, referencing his post from August 26, in which he accused President Bola Tinubu of corruption.
Inibehe Effiong's position
Effiong, who represents Sowore, terms the DSS request as illegal and unconstitutional. He argues that the DSS is unlawfully attempting to infringe on Sowore's freedom of expression, suggesting that President Tinubu should seek legal redress in court if his reputation has been impugned. "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," the lawyer emphasised.
Broader implications for digital freedom
The conflict between Sowore, the DSS, and Meta highlights broader issues surrounding online discourse in Nigeria. Sowore has been a vocal critic of the government for years and has used the internet to spread his message. Meanwhile, platforms like Facebook and X have become critical battlegrounds in political disputes. This situation poses a challenge for global tech companies regarding how they will respond to government demands for censorship.
Sowore's case raises significant questions about freedom of speech and censorship in Nigeria, compelling global tech companies like Meta to make difficult decisions between complying with government requests and protecting user rights.
