Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has issued a stark warning to social media users making inflammatory remarks about the death of President Bola Tinubu, cautioning that such statements could lead to prolonged detention during the judiciary’s vacation period.
The warning comes amid heated online debates following activist Omoyele Sowore’s scathing critique of former president Muhammadu Buhari’s legacy, where he declared: “NO, we do not mourn tyrants. We remember their victims.”
Sowore had catalogued alleged human rights violations under Buhari’s administration, including the Shiite massacre, Lekki shootings, and suppression of dissent.
Adeyanju, in his advisory tweet, stated: “To all the people posting outrageous and morally unconscionable tweets about death of a sitting president, I just want you to know that courts are about to go on vacation. Any arrest now, is till October but anyways, we will still demand for your release.”
The legal practitioner’s warning assumes greater significance following recent death threats against President Bola Tinubu that have circulated online since Buhari’s passing.
This development occurs as the federal government observes a week of mourning for Buhari, with flags at half-mast nationwide. The late president’s family is expected to announce burial arrangements shortly, even as his complex legacy continues to spark vigorous debate across ideological lines.
Adeyanju concluded his message with ironic permission: “I just said I should let you guys know but go ahead, freely express your opinions” – a nod to Nigeria’s contentious balance between free speech and state security concerns.