Citizen Fago, the social media and freedom of expression

Aliyu Musa

In some of my previous write-ups I have argued quite a few times that the new media contributes in a number of ways towards peddling misinformation especially due to easy access to it. On those occasions I tried expounding how, in my opinion, social networking sites actively provide platforms for non-journalists to take over the job of journalists and run parallel media that disseminate the sort of information that would have far reaching negative consequences on all. Nonetheless, I have maintained a firm stance against any form of direct censorship of the social media.

When some months ago Senator David Mark mentioned a plan to directly censor the social media I added my voice to those staunchly opposed to it. As soon as President Goodluck Jonathan (and later his spokesperson Ruben Abati) attempted to shift blame for the poor performance of his government to social media critics again I was one of those who vehemently rejected that position.

The social media, I dare say, has its benefits irrespective of the countless flaws associated to its use in most parts of the world. One of the advantages is that it exposes the weaknesses of feeble democracies like the one we operate in Nigeria. In proper democracies when citizens are frustrated with the policies of their leaders they openly criticise them so as to make them realise how badly they are performing and improve.

But in weak democracies, especially those with vestiges of autocracy, such criticisms are seen as mortification of politicians and responded to by deploying state apparatuses of violence like the military and police. Sometimes courts are used to give the act some legal backing so as to keep the source of the make-believe disrespect out of circulation. Time and again, we saw it happen.

The case of Citizen Abbas Ahmed Fago is typically an example. His story came to limelight last week when it emerged that he had been arrested and remanded in police custody following a complaint by the governor of his state, Bauchi, Malam Isa Yuguda that he allegedly used his Facebook account to wrongly accuse the governor of corruptly funding his son’s wedding from public treasury. Whether Fago’s claim of corruption against Malam Yuguda is true or not is another matter entirely as the governor’s response to the accusation eclipses every other thing for now.

Reports say through the office of the attorney general of the state a charge of criminal defamation was preferred against Fago. He was promptly arraigned before a chief magistrate’s court in the state and remanded in custody. While it is not my intention to comment on a case sub judice as it could interfere with the legal procedure, I must confess I had some experience with magistrates in Nigeria and know too well how justice could sometimes be turned on its head.

To begin with, defamation as it applies to this matter does not constitute a criminal offence that would warrant the involvement of the commissioner of police, the attorney general and state criminal investigation department (SCID). If the governor feels strongly about his innocence he could head to the court himself to file a suit or at best lodge a complaint with the director of public prosecution in the state who will then take up the matter.

In fact, taking the matter to the court would afford the governor an opportunity to demonstrate his readiness to act within the bounds of the law he, by virtue of his position, swore to uphold. It would help him establish his innocence and significantly boost his profile of incorruptibility. But his attempt to swat a fly with a sledgehammer has only done the direct opposite.

Leaders that loathe opinions criticising their stewardship give the impression that they have questions to answer. Now that the case has taken this dimension more questions would be asked until the truth emerges some day. So, while it looks like such criticisms have been cowed by the treatment meted on Fago, it would only serve as a temporary respite for the governor or anyone hoping to use the same strategy.

If politicians in Nigeria do not want to be criticised on the social media platform they must make up their mind to keep the pre-election promises they made. They must stop acting as if Nigeria is a business empire where they are shareholders and everyone else is their employee.

If they act appropriately people would stop using the social media to hurl pebbles at them. And they won’t need to worry about censorship or using the police and soldiers to cudgel critics.

Postscript:

This piece has also been published in the Blueprint Newspaper of 02/11/12