A human‑rights lawyer has petitioned Meta Platforms Inc. to reject a request from Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) to deactivate activist Omoyele Sowore’s Facebook account. In a letter to Meta, Inibehe Effiong described the DSS demand as unlawful and unconstitutional, arguing that it threatens the right to freedom of expression.
The DSS had written to social‑media giants Meta and X Incorporated, demanding the deactivation of Sowore’s accounts and accusing him of posting content that maligned President Bola Tinubu. Effiong countered that the laws cited by the DSS were irrelevant and that Sowore’s post did not violate Meta’s Community Standards. He noted that the DSS was acting on behalf of the President despite there being no legal action initiated by Tinubu against Sowore.
Effiong emphasized that if the President feels aggrieved by any publication, he should seek redress in court rather than using security agencies to intimidate critics. He urged Meta to resist the DSS’s request, characterizing it as an attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democracy and suppress dissenting voices.
The petition highlights the ongoing debate over freedom of expression and social‑media regulation in Nigeria. The DSS’s request has raised concerns about government overreach and potential censorship. Effiong stresses the importance of protecting citizens’ right to free speech, especially in the digital sphere, warning that complying with the request would set a dangerous precedent and embolden further government clampdowns on expression.
The lawyer’s petition serves as a reminder that social‑media companies must balance regulatory demands with their commitment to fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression. The outcome remains uncertain, but it carries significant implications for the future of social‑media regulation and free speech in Nigeria. As the situation unfolds, monitoring Meta’s and other platforms’ responses to similar requests will be crucial to assessing their dedication to protecting users’ rights amid government pressure.
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