By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Northern Ethnic Youths Group Assembly (NEYGA), a socio-cultural organisation, has accused the Amnesty International (AI) of encouraging fake news to destabilise Nigeria.
The group said that the amnesty international recently criticised the arrest of a social media user, Ghali Isma’il, by the Department of State Services (DSS) for spreading fake news about President Bola Tinubu.
Isma’il (29), was recently arrested by operatives of the DSS for allegedly circulating a false video on TikTok claiming that President Bola Tinubu had died after consuming poisoned food.
The suspect has since been remanded by a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Abuja.
The DSS prosecutors informed the court that Isma’il’s actions contravened Sections 416 and 418 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Amnesty International had described the arrest as, an abuse of power, and a desperate attempt to gag young Nigerians.
The organization also criticised the DSS for allegedly failing to verify the authenticity of the video before acting.
The Spokesman of NEYGA, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Musa, in a statement on Sunday, berated AI for what it described as acting on ignorance or deliberate mischief.
Dan-Musa in the statement accused the rights organisation of undermining national security under the guise of defending freedom of expression.
He also accused AI of encouraging divisive narratives.
He called for an investigation into AI’s operations in Nigeria, alleging that the organisation’s activities may pose a threat to the nation’s sovereignty and stability.
“It is sad that Amnesty International is pretending to be unaware that this so-called social media influencer, Ghali Isma’il, has been spreading fake news capable of threatening Nigeria’s unity.
“It won’t be wrong to say that amnesty international even encouraged or paid Isma’il to publish fake content aimed at harming Nigeria,” he said.
Dan-Musa commended the DSS for taking legal steps rather than arbitrary action.
According to the group, the current DSS leadership under its Director-General had shown commitment to due process and the rule of law.
“If amnesty international feels so strongly about Isma’il’s condition, it should channel its resources into securing him legal representation rather than attacking the country’s security institutions,” he said.
NEYGA spokesman urged Nigerians to verify information from credible sources before dissemination and called on civil society and the media to collaborate in combating misinformation and disinformation.
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