• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Monday, June 30, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NewsNet Nigeria
  • Home
  • News
    • Local News
    • National
  • Politics
  • Economy
    • Oil and Gas
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • MORE
    • Interview
    • Editorial
    • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Science & Tech
    • Videos
NewsNet Nigeria
No Result
View All Result
Home Communication

FG tells court Nigerians are still using Twitter

by NewsNet Nigeria
4 years ago
in Communication, News
FG tells court Nigerians are still using Twitter

Abubakar Malami

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on Whatsapp

The Federal Government says it has not stopped Nigerians from using the social media platform, Twitter, adding that many Nigerians are still using it every day.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Federal Government said this in a counter-affidavit they deposed to a Federal High Court in Lagos, in response to an originating motion filed by human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong.

The government had on June 4, 2021, suspended Twitter barely two days after the social media platform deleted a tweet by the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

However, many Nigerians have bypassed the Twitter suspension by using Virtual Private Network.

Malami in a statement threatened to prosecute Nigerians still using the platform while the National Broadcasting Commission ordered all radio and television stations to stop using Twitter or picking content from the platform.

Rights lawyer, Effiong, subsequently sued the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Malami, and the Federal Government for suspending the social media platform.

In the fundamental human rights suit marked FHC/L/CS/542/2021, Effiong is seeking nine reliefs, including an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further suspending, deactivating or banning the operation and accessibility of Twitter or any other social media service in Nigeria because the act was in violation of his rights.

Effiong asked the court to declare as illegal the threat of criminal prosecution by Malami and Lai Mohammed against Nigerians who ‘violate’ the suspension or ban of Twitter, despite the absence of any written law.

In an affidavit deposed to by Mr Ilop Lawrence on behalf of the Federal Government and the AGF, it was stated that the suspension of Twitter was not an abuse of human rights because Nigerians were still using Twitter despite the suspension.

It read in part, “The applicant (Effiong) and the class he seeks to represent can still operate those Twitter accounts from anywhere in the world and even from Nigeria. Nigerians are still tweeting, even at this moment as the ban on Twitter is not aimed at intimidating Nigerians or an infringement on the rights of Nigerians to express their opinion.

“The respondents (Federal Government and AGF) have never stopped the applicant (Effiong) and the class of persons he seeks to represent from voicing their opinions to access government information and offer criticism where necessary.”

The government told the court that Nigerians are still free to use other platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Tiktok and others.

The Federal Government also denied knowledge of Twitter deleting Buhari’s tweet on the Biafra civil which offended many Nigerians.

It said Twitter had made its platform accessible to elements like Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra; and had supported the #EndSARS protests of October 2020 which was later hijacked by hoodlums.

The government further stated that Nigerians should direct their anger at Twitter and not the government because Twitter would not have been suspended if it complied with Nigeria’s laws.

It told the court that the Twitter suspension would be lifted once the platform registers with the NBC and the Corporate Affairs Commission. (Punch)

Previous Post

Delta Economic Planning Ministry ensures budget obedience, compliance – Barry Gbe

Next Post

Beninese court remands Igboho, frees wife, adjourns hearing

MORE NEWS

Delta First Lady Distributes 500 uLesson Tablets to Students
News

Delta First Lady Distributes 500 uLesson Tablets to Students

June 26, 2025
MEDIA PARTNERSHIP: Gov. Oborevwori to Unveil NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel Press Centre Built by Tantita June 27
Local News

MEDIA PARTNERSHIP: Gov. Oborevwori to Unveil NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel Press Centre Built by Tantita June 27

June 26, 2025
Guwor Urges Lawmakers to Prioritise Constituents’ Interests as DTHA Resumes Third Session
Legislative Matters

Guwor Urges Lawmakers to Prioritise Constituents’ Interests as DTHA Resumes Third Session

June 26, 2025
Tinubu, Jonathan, Akpabio, Others Set for Chief Wellington Okirika Biography Launch on June 26
Celebration

Tinubu, Jonathan, Akpabio, Others Set for Chief Wellington Okirika Biography Launch on June 26

June 25, 2025
Next Post
Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho, arrested in Cotonou

Beninese court remands Igboho, frees wife, adjourns hearing

Leave Comment

RECENT STORIES

Senator Ned Nwoko Felicitates Dein of Agbor on 48th Birthday

Senator Ned Nwoko Felicitates Dein of Agbor on 48th Birthday

June 30, 2025
Okubor misrepresented facts on Delta North Senatorial meeting hosted by Senator Nwoko, says Eboh

Okubor misrepresented facts on Delta North Senatorial meeting hosted by Senator Nwoko, says Eboh

June 28, 2025
Delta First Lady Distributes 500 uLesson Tablets to Students

Delta First Lady Distributes 500 uLesson Tablets to Students

June 26, 2025
MEDIA PARTNERSHIP: Gov. Oborevwori to Unveil NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel Press Centre Built by Tantita June 27

MEDIA PARTNERSHIP: Gov. Oborevwori to Unveil NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel Press Centre Built by Tantita June 27

June 26, 2025
Abel Ideh: Don’t Meddle In Our Internal Affairs, DELSU-ASUU Warns DTHA

Abel Ideh: Don’t Meddle In Our Internal Affairs, DELSU-ASUU Warns DTHA

June 26, 2025

TRENDING STORIES

  • Abel Ideh: Don’t Meddle In Our Internal Affairs, DELSU-ASUU Warns DTHA

    Abel Ideh: Don’t Meddle In Our Internal Affairs, DELSU-ASUU Warns DTHA

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Tinubu, Jonathan, Akpabio, Others Set for Chief Wellington Okirika Biography Launch on June 26

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Delta: Native Doctor Arrested for Concealing Firearms in Ceiling

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • S’Court Dismisses Second Attempt At Appeal By Dieyi Family In Ogwashi-Uku Royal Dispute

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ‘Tehran will shake’, says Israeli Finance Minister as Iran reportedly breaks ceasefire

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

NEWSNET NIGERIA Published By: Morex Consult Limited - Since 2020.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Local News
    • National
  • Politics
  • Economy
    • Oil and Gas
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • MORE
    • Interview
    • Editorial
    • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Science & Tech
    • Videos

NEWSNET NIGERIA Published By: Morex Consult Limited - Since 2020.