Nigerians could be arrested for posting tweets following Twitter ban

After a ban on Twitter, Nigerian government has now ordered federal prosecutors to arrest and prosecute users of social media app. According to CNN, Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami issued directive on June 5 in a statement signed on his behalf by his spokesman, Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu. 

It re that Malami directed Director of Public Prosecution of Federation (DPPF) at Office of Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice, to “swing into action” and commence in earnest process of prosecution of “violators” of Federal Government De-activation of operations of Twitter in Nigeria. Furr, Attorney General directed country’s communications regulator, NCC, and Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy to collaborate with prosecutors “to ensure speedy prosecution of offenders without any furr delay”. 

‘Indefinite suspension’ of Twitter

Meanwhile, Nigeria's Ministry of Information and Culture announced "indefinite suspension" of Twitter's operations in Nigeria on Friday, after company deleted a tweet by President Muhammu Buhari that was widely perceived as offensive. Information Minister Lai Mohammed condemned 'persistent use' of Twitter for activities allegedly capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence. He also questioned Twitter's motives in Nigeria, saying, " mission of Twitter in Nigeria is very very suspect". 

Mohammed called Twitter’s mission in Nigeria “suspicious” and ded that US technology company has an agenda. Furr, Nigerian minister said that social media firm h overlooked tweets of leing secessionists in nation. He went on to say that when people were burning police stations and killing policemen in Nigeria during 'End SARS', a decentralised social movement, n for Twitter it was about right to protest. “But when a similar thing happened in US, it became insurrection,” Mohammed said. 

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