The Centre for Advancement of Civil Liberties and Development also known as Centre for Liberty has hailed the Economic Community of West African States Community Court of Justice over its recent judgment where it ordered the Nigerian Government to repeal or amend the provision of its cybercrimes law, which violates citizens’ right of expression.

Delivering the judgment of the three-man panel of the court on Friday, Justice Januaria Costa ordered the Nigerian Government to make the law to align with its obligation under Article 1 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Reacting to the ruling in a statement jointly signed by Adebayo Raphael, Maryam Ahmed, Deji Adeyanju and Ariyo-Dare Atoye, the non-governmental organisation asked the Nigerian Government, particularly federal lawmakers to begin the process of excluding section 24 from the 2015 Cybercrimes Act and also ensure the permanent interment of the Social Media Bill and Hate Speech Bill.

The statement reads, “The Centre for Advancement of Civil Liberties and Development also known as Centre for Liberty is very pleased with the ruling of the Economic Community of West African States Community Court of Justice that the Nigerian Government must either repeal or amend its law on cybercrimes to align with its obligation under Article 1 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 

“While delivering this very laudable judgment, Justice Januaria T.S. Moreira Costa affirmed that Nigeria’s adoption of Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2015 is in violation of the right to freedom of expression. This is in line with a recent ruling of the same hallowed court of law that the September 2017 Internet shutdown ordered by the Togolese Government during protests is illegal and constitutes a violation of the right to freedom of expression.

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