By CHARLES IWUOHA

An Abuja-based human rights activist and public Health expert, Dr. Laz Ude Eze, has instituted a legal suit against the Ebonyi State Government to the Federal High Court Abuja.

Eze, is challenging the Ebonyi State Cybercrime (Prohibition) Law 2021 which he described as a “draconian” law.

Explaining why he took what he called a “proactive” action, Dr. Ude Eze noted that he had to take the action in the interest of the public and to protect himself and his associates from victimization and possible harm by the Government of Ebonyi State or its agents.

According to the cerebral medical doctor who presents “Talking Health with Dr. Laz” public health advocacy programme on the AIT network, his attention was called to a certain “watch list” of persons already earmarked by Ebonyi State Government “which has over time shown its inability to withstand criticism and dissenting voices” and therefore took the decision to challenge the Ebonyi State anti-cybercrime law in court to prevent the use of the said law to harass innocent citizens and residents of Ebonyi State.

In a press statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Ude Eze stated: “Recall that my name appeared recently on a purported social media watch list by the Ebonyi State Government which was widely circulated on social media.

“Although the authenticity of the list is questionable, the abduction, arrest, torture, detention, harassment and prosecution of citizens who disagree publicly with the policies of the state government is well known to Ebonyi people and the general public.

“Evil persists when good men do nothing. I’ve taken this proactive step in public interest and in defense of our hard earned democracy. Nigerians resisted social media law at the national level.

“But the good, lawful and diligent people of Ebonyi State woke up to a secret document enacted by the shameless House of Assembly without the knowledge or involvement of the people.

“This law enables the ongoing gross suppression of free speech, harassment of innocent citizens.”

Ude Eze through his group, Concerned Ebonyi Citizens in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/112/2022 is challenging the constitutionality of the Ebonyi State Cybercrime (prohibition) Law 2022.

Amongst the reliefs sought by the group is the declaration of the Federal High Court that by the “combined provisions of sections 4(1,2,3,5,6&7), items46, 66, and 68 of the second schedule part 1, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended , section 1(a&c) and 2 of cybercrimes (Prohibition, prevention, etc)Act, the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, has no legislative competence, and constitutional power whatsoever, to legislate or make any law, creating Ebonyi State Cyber Crimes (prohibition) Law 2021, in Ebonyi State, the South-east of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“A declaration that the creation, setting up, establishment or enactment of the Ebonyi State Cyber Crimes(Prohibition) Law 2021, in Ebonyi State, the South East of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by the House of Assembly of Ebonyi State, is illegal, unconstitutional, invalid, and ultra vires the legislative powers of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.”

The suit also urges the Court to make “An Order of injunction restraining the Government of Ebonyi State, or any agency of the government of Ebonyi State, from arresting, threatening to arrest or detain, arraigning , remanding, prosecuting and declaring wanted, any of the plaintiff or any other indigene of Ebonyi State, on the basis of cyber Crime(Prohibition) Law 2021.”

Others joined in the suite are, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Attorney General of Ebonyi State and the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.