RULAAC seeks review of cybercrime law

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has sought a review of the cybercrime law recently put in place in the country.

The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a dialogue session with the theme, “Voices Unchained: A Journey Through Civic Space in Southeast Nigeria” held in Awka.

The dialogue created a platform for participants to reflect on the state of civic freedoms in the region and to share personal testimonies of abuse, with the aim of charting a path forward.

The communiqué was made available on Sunday in Akwa.

RULAAC expressed concern over the high-handedness of police and other security agencies, including the detention of suspects in non-designated facilities such as local government secretariats and vigilante offices.

The rights group also decried slow trials, corruption, denial of bail, and the overcrowding of custodial centres with young people arrested for petty offences.

“There is also the misuse of the Cybercrimes Act and other ambiguous laws to stifle online expression which is responsible for growing fear, self-censorship, and disillusionment among citizens.

“We are concerned about suppression of student voices through imposition of unelected student union leaders in tertiary institutions and conspicuous silence of political leaders in Southeast on civic space violations,” it said.

RULAAC therefore recommended that federal and state governments should immediately halt the criminalisation of dissent and adopt policies that expand instead of constricting civic freedoms.

NAN