Niger State Drops Cybercrime Case Against Student Activist

Niger State has withdrawn all cybercrime charges earlier filed against student activist Isah Mokwa after the Director of Public Prosecutions told the High Court that the state had no legal power to prosecute offences under the Cybercrimes Act.

The decision was announced in open court on Friday, days after public pressure mounted over Mokwa’s detention and questions were raised about the legality of the charges. Mokwa had been released earlier in the week following criticism from rights groups.

With the cybercrime counts now withdrawn, the state says it will continue only with allegations under the Niger State Penal Code Law 2023, including incitement, unlawful assembly in the electronic space, injurious falsehood and criminal defamation.

Mokwa’s lawyer, Ibrahim Usman Wali, told the court that the defence did not oppose the state’s new position. He asked the court to compel the prosecution to provide the amended charge sheet, proof of evidence, the original petition submitted by one Muregi Abdullahi, and all communications between him and the Office of the Governor, which led to the case.

The judge granted the request and ordered the state to serve all the documents before the next hearing.

Mokwa was arrested over online posts criticising Governor Umaru Bago and was earlier remanded by a magistrate court despite concerns about the cybercrime charges filed against him.

The case has been adjourned to January 13, 2025. Mokwa remains on bail while his legal team waits for the documents ordered by the court.