Anti-corruption advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has threatened to file a lawsuit against the Katsina state government over ban placed on the usage of social media in schools.
SERAP disclosed this on it’s official twitter handle on Wednesday.
The state’s Ministry of Education had reportedly directed principals of government schools to delete all existing Whatsapp groups in their respective schools.
The Ministry also allegedly ordered government workers to stop commenting, either positively or negatively, on government activities on Facebook or Whatsapp.
SERAP stated that the state government’s ban is “illegal and unconstitutional”, thus, the group will take legal actions if not reversed.
SERAP said: “We call on the Katsina state authorities to guarantee freedom of expression in schools and to encourage an open and transparent dialogue
The ban has the character of collective punishment. It’s patently contrary to the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 [as amended] and the country’s obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The ban also fails to meet the standards required under constitutional and international human rights law to limit freedom of expression. The ban will disrupt the free exchange of ideas in schools and individuals’ ability to connect with one another on matters of shared concern”.
READ ALSO: “Enforce now court order on Life Pension, Double Pay by ex-Govs, Ministers”, SERAP to Buhari
