Lawyer Deji Adeyanju Urges President Tinubu To Lead Move To Decriminalise Defamation In Nigeria
deji Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to spearhead comprehensive reforms to decriminalise defamation in Nigeria, warning that true democracy cannot thrive in an environment where dissent is punished.
In a statement released on Saturday, Adeyanju praised President Tinubu for his recent remarks in Benue State, where the President called on politicians to welcome criticism and refrain from persecuting opponents. He described Tinubu’s comments as a “welcome departure” from Nigeria’s longstanding pattern of political intolerance and repression.
“I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for encouraging tolerance toward critics and political opponents,” Adeyanju stated. “His directive to security agencies not to punish the individual who charged at him in Kaduna also reflects commendable restraint and democratic maturity.”
Adeyanju emphasized that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends on protecting free speech and ensuring that citizens can speak without fear of retaliation — particularly from security forces often used by politicians to silence dissent.
“Our leaders must realise that democracy thrives on open dialogue, debate, and opposing views,” he added. “We must abandon the toxic culture of intimidation and learn to respect divergent opinions.”
He warned that Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies must stop functioning as tools of oppression for the political elite, stating, “The Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies must cease being used to arrest, harass, or jail critics. A true democracy listens to dissent — it doesn’t crush it.”
Adeyanju concluded by urging President Tinubu to initiate legislative action to decriminalise defamation, describing such laws as outdated relics from colonial rule that have no place in a modern society.
“Freedom of speech must include freedom after speech,” he said. “President Tinubu has a historic opportunity to lead this reform and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic foundation.”
His comments come at a time of rising concern over the misuse of Nigeria’s defamation and cybercrime laws to target journalists, activists, and social media users critical of government policies and officials.
