Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative Dragged President Buhari To Court | Nairalaw

The Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative – a network of digital
rights lawyers in Nigeria has filed an action at the Federal High
Court sitting in Abuja against the President for his refusal to
either assent or withhold his assent on the Digital Rights and
Freedom Bill which was transmitted to him by the National Assembly
since 4th day of February 2019.

In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/277/2019 filed on behalf of the group by
their lawyers, the Plaintiffs prayed for:

1. A DECLARATION that, by virtue of section
58(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999
(as amended), the Defendant lacks power to remain silent and/or
inactive on the Digital Rights and Freedoms Bill 2018 after 30 days
of its transmission to the Defendant by the National Assembly.

2. A DECLARATION that, by the Defendant’s
silence and/or inactivity on the Digital Rights and Freedoms Bill
2018 after 30 days of its transmission to it by the National
Assembly constitutes a violation of section 58(4) of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as
amended).

3. A DECLARATION that, by the Defendant’s
silence and/or inactivity on the Digital Rights and Freedoms Bill
2018 after 30 days of its transmission to it by the National
Assembly, the bill is deemed to have been assented to and thus
become an Act of the National Assembly.

4. A PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the
Defendant from withholding its assent to the Digital Rights and
Freedoms Bill same having been deemed assented to by the
Defendant.

5. Other Consequential order(s) as this honourable court may
deem fit to grant in the circumstance.

As at the time of this report, the matter has not been
assigned.