Abuja, FCT – By Prime Brief Media
Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has sharply criticised what he describes as the "selective enforcement" of free speech rights in Nigeria, accusing authorities of deploying the police, courts, and cybercrime legislation disproportionately against ordinary citizens while political elites remain largely insulated.
In a series of posts on his verified social media handles on Monday, Sowore argued that the recent sentencing of a social media user for a malicious tweet about singer Adekunle Gold's child, while legally defensible, must be viewed against a broader landscape in which powerful figures routinely escape accountability for inciting statements.
"Free speech protections must apply equally to all Nigerians. We cannot have a system where the poor and powerless are jailed for tweets while the powerful and politically connected threaten and defame with impunity. Justice must be blind," Sowore wrote.
He called for an urgent review of the Cybercrimes Act, which he described as a "weapon of selective persecution," and urged civil society to resist any attempt to criminalise legitimate dissent and social commentary. Sowore himself is currently facing cyberbullying charges brought by the Federal Government, charges he has described as politically motivated.
Media freedom organisations have echoed Sowore's concerns, warning that the inconsistent application of cyber laws risks creating a climate of self-censorship while failing to address the underlying culture of online toxicity.
Prime Brief Media is monitoring digital security channels and will report on any additional breaches or advisories.
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