NBA Condemns Twitter Suspension By President Buhari, Says Is Contrary To Right To Freedom Of Speech

*Vows to challenge the suspension if not reversed

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has condemned the suspension
of Twitter in Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari

NBA, in a statement through its President, Olumide Akpata, says
the suspension is in violation of right to freedom of speech

The Association also frowned at the direction to the Nigerian
Communications Commission to license social media operation in the
country

“The Nigerian Bar Association Assoc has noted with great concern
the extraordinary decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to
suspend the operations of Twitter in Nigeria and, by necessary
implication, the right of Nigerians to freely express their
constitutionally guaranteed opinions through that medium.

“The Federal Government also directed the Nigerian
Communications Commission to immediately commence the process of
licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria, which is,
at best, yet another disguised attempt to regulate social media,
restrict freedom of speech and shrink civic space.” Akpata
tweeted

Furthermore, NBA said Nigeria practices constitutional democracy
so everything must be done in accordance with the law. It says
there is no law that supports the suspension of Twitter by FG.

The Association vowed to challenge the suspension of same is not
reverses. Akpata said, “Whether one likes it or not, we are
operating a constitutional democracy, the primary consequence of
which is that every thing must be done according to law; and
government must be conducted within the framework of recognised
rules and principles which restrict discretionary power.

“The Nigerian Bar Association finds no constitutional or legal
authority to support the peremptory action of the Federal
Government to suspend the operations of Twitter in Nigeria and
deprive Nigerians of their right to freely express their
constitutionally guaranteed opinions. Beyond the dent on our
constitutional democracy, at a time when the Nigerian economy is
unarguably struggling, the impact of arbitrary decisions such as
this on investor confidence is better imagined.

“Consequently, if this decision is not immediately reversed, the
Nigerian Bar Association will have no choice but to challenge same
in the interest of the public and our democracy.”

*Vows to challenge the suspension if not reversed

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has condemned the suspension
of Twitter in Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari

NBA, in a statement through its President, Olumide Akpata, says
the suspension is in violation of right to freedom of speech

The Association also frowned at the direction to the Nigerian
Communications Commission to license social media operation in the
country

“The Nigerian Bar Association Assoc has noted with great concern
the extraordinary decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to
suspend the operations of Twitter in Nigeria and, by necessary
implication, the right of Nigerians to freely express their
constitutionally guaranteed opinions through that medium.

“The Federal Government also directed the Nigerian
Communications Commission to immediately commence the process of
licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria, which is,
at best, yet another disguised attempt to regulate social media,
restrict freedom of speech and shrink civic space.” Akpata
tweeted

Furthermore, NBA said Nigeria practices constitutional democracy
so everything must be done in accordance with the law. It says
there is no law that supports the suspension of Twitter by FG.

The Association vowed to challenge the suspension of same is not
reverses. Akpata said, “Whether one likes it or not, we are
operating a constitutional democracy, the primary consequence of
which is that every thing must be done according to law; and
government must be conducted within the framework of recognised
rules and principles which restrict discretionary power.

“The Nigerian Bar Association finds no constitutional or legal
authority to support the peremptory action of the Federal
Government to suspend the operations of Twitter in Nigeria and
deprive Nigerians of their right to freely express their
constitutionally guaranteed opinions. Beyond the dent on our
constitutional democracy, at a time when the Nigerian economy is
unarguably struggling, the impact of arbitrary decisions such as
this on investor confidence is better imagined.

“Consequently, if this decision is not immediately reversed, the
Nigerian Bar Association will have no choice but to challenge same
in the interest of the public and our democracy.”