Nigeria: Authorities Must Immediately End Persecution of Sowore

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Press Release
21 July 2026

Nigeria: Authorities Must Immediately End Persecution of Sowore

The Nigerian authorities must immediately end their escalating campaign of judicial harassment and persecution against human rights defender, journalist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, drop all politically motivated charges against him, and guarantee his right to peacefully exercise his rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, Amnesty International said today.

The continuing harassment, intimidation and prosecution of Sowore forms part of a broader pattern of repression against journalists, activists, human rights defenders and civil society organisations in Nigeria. Rather than protecting the rights guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and international human rights law, the authorities are increasingly using criminal investigations, prosecutions, security agencies and the criminal justice system to intimidate, punish and silence those who criticize government policies and public officials.

“The ongoing harassment, intimidation and unfair prosecution of Omoyele Sowore is another disturbing example of the misuse of Nigeria’s criminal justice system to suppress peaceful dissent. No one should face arrest, prosecution or punishment simply for peacefully expressing opinions, exposing alleged wrongdoing or criticizing those in power,” said Isa Sanusi Executive Director Amnesty International Nigeria

“Public officials should expect—and tolerate—a greater degree of public scrutiny than private individuals. The right to freedom of expression protects not only information and ideas that are favourably received, but also those that offend, shock or disturb. Criminal law must never be weaponized to shield public officials from criticism or to intimidate human rights defenders, journalists and political opponents,” said Isa Sanusi

Amnesty International is concerned by the continuing involvement of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the prosecution of Sowore. Security and intelligence agencies should protect national security within the limits of the law—not be used as instruments to intimidate critics or discourage legitimate public debate.

The repeated targeting of Sowore since 2019—including arbitrary arrests, detention, multiple criminal proceedings and other forms of judicial harassment—illustrates a disturbing pattern of retaliation against individuals who peacefully exercise their human rights. The cumulative effect of these actions extends beyond one individual, creating a chilling effect on journalists, activists, civil society organisations and other Nigerians who wish to speak out on matters of public interest.

The authorities’ actions are incompatible with Nigeria’s obligations under the Nigerian Constitution, particularly Section 39 guaranteeing the right to freedom of expression, as well as Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which guarantee the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas regardless of frontiers. Nigeria has ratified the human rights treaties.

Under international human rights law, any restriction on the right to freedom of expression must be provided by law, pursue a legitimate aim, and be strictly necessary and proportionate. The burden rests on the authorities to demonstrate that any restriction satisfies these requirements. Criminal proceedings that target peaceful criticism of public officials or government policies rarely meet this strict test.

The misuse of the criminal justice system and prosecution of peaceful critics also undermines the independence of the judiciary and weakens public confidence in the administration of justice.
Nigeria has repeatedly committed itself to protecting civic space, human rights and the rule of law. Those commitments cannot be reconciled with the continued use of criminal law to suppress legitimate criticism.

The Nigerian authorities must immediately withdraw all bogus charges against Omoyele Sowore as they are brought solely because of peaceful exercise of his human rights. They should also end all forms of harassment, surveillance and intimidation against him and ensure that he is able to carry out his legitimate activities without fear of reprisals.

President Bola Tinubu should publicly reaffirm his government’s commitment to human rights including the right to freedom of expression and direct all law enforcement and security agencies, including the Department of State Services, to immediately cease the misuse of criminal investigations and prosecutions against Omoyele Sowore and other journalists, activists and government critics.

The authorities must also review and amend laws that are routinely used to criminalize peaceful expression, including provisions relating to criminal defamation, cybercrime and other vaguely worded offences that fail to comply with international human rights standards. Nigeria should ensure that its legal framework fully respects the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, and that no one is arrested, prosecuted or imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising their human rights.

The authorities must demonstrate that they are committed to protecting civic space, respecting the rule of law and upholding the rights guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.