The ECOWAS Court of Justice, Abuja in a landmark ruling on Tuesday has stopped the Buhari administration and its agents from intimidating, sanctioning, arresting or prosecuting anyone for using Twitter in Nigeria, pending the final determination of the suit.
The regional court ruled against the Federal Government of Nigeria on the suspension of Twitter, saying the app is a fundamental right.
The ECOWAS Court also ruled that the Federal Government cannot arrest or prosecute anybody for using Twitter.
Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project, SERAP, had on Sunday, released a statement that it had dragged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government to court for placing a ban on Twitter.
The FG, in defence, told ECOWAS Court in a document that it suspended the service of Twitter Inc. in compliance with the relevant provision of its domestic laws. “The suspension was premised on reasons of national interest and national security of Nigeria.”
It also stated that the suspension of the operation of Twitter in Nigeria has nothing to do with the account of individual twitter users in Nigeria.
The FG also challenged the capacity of the court to sit on the subject matter, stating that “This Honourable court lacks the jurisdiction to determine the criminalization of an act under Nigerian domestic laws.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed arrived at the National Assembly complex Tuesday, to meet with the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Information, ICT, and Judiciary.
The joint Committee is investigating the circumstances that led to the ban of Twitter in early June.
It will be recalled that the federal government recently suspended Twitter operations in the country.
Responding to the development on the heels of public outcry, the House resolved to probe the ban.
