A former presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Garba, has petitioned the Federal government, asking it to shut down Twitter operations in Nigeria.
The former APC presidential aspirant, who joined the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in the suit, also asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to impose $1 billion fine on the microblogging platform.
He anchored his petition on what he said was the loss of lives and property and for which he is pressing for compensation.
He accused the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, of gross abuse of privilege.
He asserted that the Twitter CEO deployed his platform in instigating a protest he said has now resulted in a breakdown of law and order in Nigeria.
“Here’s the motion on notice for a fine of $1Bn dollars in favour of Federal Republic of Nigeria, as a compensation for loss of lives, property & convenience as a result [of] your active support for funding of #EndSARS after the issues had been attended to by the government.
“You have violated the international principles of nationhood & democracy, by meddling in our local affairs, knowing full well that this is capable of toppling the democratically-elected government of the day, slowing us down from progress on our hard-earned democracy journey.
“I trust that the Federal High Court of Nigeria will serve you the motion accordingly. You should get ready and pay the fine as a compensation once you receive the motion accordingly. See you in court. Thank you,” Adamu Garba posted via Twitter on Tuesday.
Joined in the suit are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Attorney General of the Federation, National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, Director-General, Department of State Security Services, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Communication Commission, Jack Dorsey, Twitter International Company and the #EndSARS protesters.
Garba, who is the CEO of IPI Group Limited, said the suit was filed to enforce his fundamental rights pursuant to Provisions of Order II Rules 1, 2, and 3 of the Fundamental Rights Rules 2009, Sections 34(1), 35(1), 41(1), 43 and 46(1) and 2 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s’ Rights Act CAP. A9, LFN 2004.