The Centre for Information Technology and Information Development (CITAD) has condemned in very strong terms, the detention of Rhoda Jatau over a social media post.
It particularly frowned at the fact that Rhoda was denied bail which had no basis in law before the latest intervention of CITAD.
CITAD said that it was crucial to stress that Sections 38 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution as amended guarantee freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and expression.
This was as CITAD particularly called on the media to amplify the voices of Mrs. Rhoda Jatau and others who face similar injustices in the hands of the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies.
The Executive Secretary of CITAD, Mr Y.Z. Yau, who stated these at a press conference in Bauchi as part of the campaign for Rhoda Jatau’s release, stressed that denying someone bail based on a social media post sets a dangerous precedent for the collective freedom and democracy of the citizens.
In the words of Yau; “It sends a bad signal that the government can silence any dissenting voice if they deem it contrary to their own opinion.
“And if this trend continues, it will make people afraid to speak their minds, express themselves, and associate online for fear of being attacked, arrested, or molested by the Nigerian government or its agencies as in the case of Rhoda’s and many others.
“To reinforce our stance, it is crucial to remember that Sections 38 and 39 of the 1999 Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution guarantee freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and expression.
“Additionally, the Government of Nigeria is a signatory to various international human rights law instruments and treaties, including the African Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which all hold the fundamental human rights of the citizens in Nigeria.
Yau said the media chat was targeted at x-raying the digital rights implications of the continued detention of Rhoda Jatau by the Bauchi State Government over her social media post. He further said; “We reiterate that Rhoda’s arrest and continued detention are clear violation of her digital rights, and we cannot stand and do nothing while injustice is meted on one of us.
“As an organization working on the protection of human and digital rights of Nigerians, we strongly condemn the unnecessary adjournments and postponements of the hearings of Mrs. Rhoda Jatau’s case which has been delayed five times since March 2023.
“We further denounce the rejection of her application for a “no-case submission” by her Lawyers despite having no criminal history.
“Our demands are clear: Her immediate release and all charges against her be dropped. Respect of the fundamental right of every citizen to express themselves freely and openly in the digital space.
“Furthermore, we call upon the Federal government to immediately intervene and ensure the release of Mrs. Jatau without further delay.
“The Bauchi State Government to order the Attorney General in the state to facilitate the release of Mrs. Jatau unconditionally
“The Nigeria Police Force to desist from arresting citizens for exercising their constitutional rights online.
“We specifically call on Human Rights Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and Lawyers to unite in assisting victims of digital rights abuses and safeguarding the digital rights of Nigerians
“The Nigerian National Assembly to speed up the passage of digital rights and freedom bill, which we believe will address most of these injustices perpetrated against the citizens under the guise of national security,” he said.
Yau also highlighted the digital rights implication of the lingering case of Mrs. Rhoda Jatau, who was arrested by the Nigeria Police for sharing a WhatsApp message to her friends condemning the killing of a student in Sokoto over alleged blasphemy.
Yau noted that on May 20, 2022, Mrs. Rhoda Jatau was picked up at her residence by officers and men of the Nigeria Police over allegations of incitement and inciting public disturbance. CITAD stressed that the action by the Police directly infringed on Rhoda Jatau’s rights to freedom of expression and speech as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
According to Yau; “Rhoda Jatau’s post, perhaps strong in its language, but did not incite violence or hatred. It was simply an expression of her opinion, a right guaranteed to her by our constitution. It is an outright abuse of her digital right to freedom of expression online.
“However, immediately after sharing the post, she was arrested and taken into custody. Her bail was consistently denied, and she has been held behind bars ever since. This is not just an injustice to Rhoda; it is an attack on the digital rights of every citizen in this country”.
