The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of human rights journalist and investigative reporter Ahmed Isa Sakpe, who was recently arrested by the Niger State Police Command over alleged cyberbullying and related offences linked to his professional work.
This was contained in a statement released Signed,by the Executive Director, CITAD,
Y. Z. Ya’u made available to newsmrn in Kano.
CITAD condemned the arrest as part of a troubling trend where cybercrime laws are reportedly used to intimidate journalists, activists, and citizens expressing dissenting views or carrying out investigative reporting.
“Freedom of expression and press freedom are guaranteed under Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and reinforced by Nigeria’s obligations under regional and international human rights frameworks. The use of security agencies to silence journalists undermines democracy and public trust,” the statement read.
CITAD also raised concerns that political actors in the Niger State Government may have influenced the arrest, warning that such interference constitutes a serious abuse of power and threatens democratic accountability. The organization highlighted a pattern of legal threats and arrests against critics and journalists in the state in recent months.
The NGO issued four key demands:
1. The immediate and unconditional release of Ahmed Isa Sakpe.
2. An independent review of the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
3. An end to the use of cybercrime and defamation laws to silence journalists and critics.
4. Stronger safeguards to protect press freedom and civic space in Niger State and nationwide.
CITAD urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to engage relevant authorities to prevent state governments from weaponising law enforcement against journalists and human rights defenders.
“Democracy thrives on accountability. Journalists and human rights defenders must not be punished for speaking truth to power,” CITAD emphasized, reaffirming its commitment to defending digital rights, civic freedoms, and the protection of journalists across Nigeria.