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FG orders prosecution of Nigerians using Twitter

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has ordered the immediate prosecution of persons who violate the Federal Government’s order suspending Twitter operations in Nigeria.

Malami, in a statement released on Saturday by his spokesman, Umar Gwandu, gave the directive to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation.

The statement is titled, ‘Twitter ban: Malami orders prosecution of offenders.’

It read; “Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has directed the immediate prosecution of offenders of the Federal Government ban on Twitter operations in Nigeria.

Malami directed the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to swing into action and commence in earnest the process of prosecution of violators of the Federal Government De-activation of operations of Twitter in Nigeria.

“Malami directed the DPPF to liaise with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, National Communication Communication and other relevant government agencies to ensure the speedy prosecution of offenders without any further delay.”

Paul Rusesabagina, the man who inspired the film Hotel Rwanda about the 1994 genocide, has written a letter from prison on his choice of Rwandan legal representatives, according to one of the chosen lawyers who is based in Belgium.

Up to now he has been represented in court by two lawyers who his family said were picked by the prosecution.

Mr Rusesabagina has been charged with terrorism and murder among other 13 counts. He has not yet entered a plea.

Lawyer Vincent Lurquin told journalists on Thursday that he received a letter from Mr Rusesabagina during a recent visit to the Rwandan capital, Kigali, in which he picked Mr Lurquin and Gatera Gashabana from a list of seven names drawn up by his family.

But the two lawyers were reportedly denied access to their client.

“I don’t see why Rwanda blocked me from seeing and assisting my client, a Belgian citizen, on a case that started in Belgium,” Mr Lurquin said.

Mr Rusesabagina was denied bail early this month and is detained at a prison in Kigali.