SERAP is seeking an order of court granting it leave to to access a copy of the agreement the federal government recently signed with Twitter
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Tuesday granted the prayers of a human rights and advocacy organisation, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in its ex-parte motion seeking leave to apply for a copy of the agreement which the Federal Government recently signed with Twitter Inc.
In the application dated February 11 and filed same day, SERAP is seeking the order of court granting it leave to apply and “seek an order of mandamus compelling President Muhammadu Buhari ( 1st respondent) to direct the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, to provide it with a copy of the agreement recently signed with Twitter Inc, and to widely publish any of such agreement”.
SERAP also prayed for “An order of the court granting it leave to apply for judicial review to enable it seek an order of mandamus compelling the 1st respondent to direct the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed to clarify the manner and scope in which the agreement with Twitter would be enforced, including whether the agreement incorporates the provisions of Chapter 1V of the Nigerian Constitution ( as amended) on fundamental human rights and the country’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights.
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“And for such further order(s) the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”
Respondents in the suit are: The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria (1st) and the Minister of Information and Culture (2nd)
The motion which was moved by counsel to SERAP, Oluwadare Kolawole, was supported with 25-paragraphs affidavit, deposed to by one Adewale Akinyemi, a litigation Assistant, exhibits marked A1 – A6 attached thereto, affidavit of non- multiplicity of actions and a written address signed by Opeyemi Owolabi, counsel to the applicant.
Delivering his ruling on Tuesday May 17 on the Suit No FHC/L/CS/238/2022, the presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu (JP) said that after hearing K. Oluwadare Esq. Counsel to the applicant move in terms of the motion paper, and having carefully considered the application and submission of counsel.
It is hereby ordered: “That leave is granted to the Applicant (SERAP) to apply for judicial review to enable the Applicant seek an order of mandamus compelling the 1st Respondent to direct the Minister of Information and Culture to provide the Applicant with a copy of the agreement recently signed with Twitter Inc and to widely publish the details of any such agreement”
“That leave is granted to the Applicant to apply for judicial review to enable the Applicant (SERAP) seek an order of mandamus compelling the 1st Respondent to direct the Minister of Information and Culture to clarify the manner and scope in which the agreement with Twitter will be enforced including whether the agreement incorporates the provisions of Chapter 1V of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 ( as amended) on Fundamental Human Rights and the country’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
“That the return date shall be 31st day of May, 2022”.