Popular activist and human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has sparked a heated debate on social media after his assertion that “defamation is not a crime.”
His comments were made following the arrest of journalists and human rights defenders under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including the recent detention of Adejuwon Soyinka of Premium Times by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Adeyanju’s post on X (formerly Twitter) came in response to these arrests, where he condemned what he described as the abduction of journalists by the DSS, labeling their actions as tyranny.
He wrote, “Defamation is not a crime. Ignore the Twitter lawyers and the tyrants in power.”
His remarks were quickly met with backlash from social media users who criticized his legal understanding, with many pointing out that defamation is indeed considered both a civil wrong and a criminal offense under Nigerian law.
Some users questioned Adeyanju’s law degree, making sarcastic remarks about his educational background. One user, Basit, clarified that defamation is punishable under both the Nigerian Criminal Code (in the south) and the Penal Code (in the north), potentially leading to imprisonment, fines, or both.
Many users cited specific sections of the Nigerian law to refute Adeyanju’s claims, including Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act 1990, which makes the publication of defamatory matter a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment.
Additionally, Section 391 of the Penal Code addresses defamation, emphasizing that false statements intended to harm another’s reputation can lead to criminal penalties.
While Adeyanju’s stance highlighted concerns about press freedom and the rights of journalists, his critics focused on the legal implications of defamation in Nigeria, challenging his understanding of the country’s legal framework.
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