Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has condemned the two-year imprisonment of social media user Swanky_concept over false claims about the daughter of singers Adekunle Gold and Simi.
Swanky_concept, identified as Samuel Adeboye Adeyeye, was sentenced after pleading guilty to spreading false information about the celebrity couple’s daughter, Deja.
Reacting to the development, Sowore accused the Nigeria Police Force of abusing its powers against social media users and alleged that some celebrities now use security agencies to silence critics and online trolls.
“Today, we are once again witnessing the reckless abuse of @policenh powers against social media users in Nigeria.
“What is even more disturbing is how some Nigerian celebrities now appear more eager than politicians and security agencies to throw largely poor young Nigerians into prison under the guise of ‘cybercrime,’ simply because of internet banter or comments they dislike,” he wrote.
Sowore also referenced allegations involving singers such as Simi, Adekunle Gold and Ayra Starr, saying celebrities should not weaponise the police, prosecutors or judges against ordinary Nigerians over online comments.
“Meanwhile, these same celebrities sit comfortably among international stars abroad demanding respect and award for creative freedom and artistic expression, yet many of those global celebrities would never (and functioning systems) won’t let them weaponize the police, corrupt prosecutors, or compromised court judges against ordinary citizens over free speech or online commentary.”, he continued.
The activist further warned that criminalising jokes, trolling, criticism and online banter poses a threat to democracy and freedom of expression.
He said:
“This growing culture of criminalizing speech, jokes, criticism, trolling, and online banter is dangerous to democracy and fundamentally incompatible with freedom of expression.
“The real shame belongs to the irresponsible Nigeria Police Force @PoliceNG and sections of the justice system that continue enabling these abuses instead of protecting citizens’ rights.
“The police must stop acting as private enforcers for the rich, connected and powerful. Nigerians cannot continue to be shipped to prison because influential people are offended online,” he added.
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