A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa, has criticized security agencies for exploiting cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and terrorism laws to harass citizens.
He believes this situation has turned the country into a living hell under President Bola Tinubu adiminstration.
Okutepa shared his concerns in an X post over the weekend after activists Dele Farotimi, Omoyele Sowore, and Mahdi Shehu, along with TikToker Olumide Ogunsanwo (aka SeaKing), were prosecuted for offences related to cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and terrorism.
Okutepa emphasized that many Nigerians, including lawyers, are intolerant of the truth and crave sycophantic praise. He recounted an incident where a lawyer was angry with him for commenting on the misuse of law without hearing the lawyer’s side of the story. However, Okutepa clarified that his comments were aimed at law enforcement agents misusing their powers, not at any specific individual.
He warned that Nigerians are experiencing severe oppression in their own country due to the misuse of cyberstalking and bullying laws. According to him, the security agencies are ready to cooperate with those who control the means of production.
As an advocate of institutional reform, Okutepa cautioned security agencies against using the law as a tool for persecution. He also urged lawyers to stand against injustice and uphold the principle that law should be used for peace, order, and good governance.
