There is growing outrage on social media over the continued detention of Bayelsa-based social media personality, popularly known as Brain Box James.
The development has triggered reactions from social media users, activists and other concerned individuals, with calls mounting for his immediate release.
A post circulating on Facebook described the situation as a troubling development, questioning whether the freedom of expression guaranteed under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution is being respected.
The post, published by Bayelsa News Room, said the constitutional provision had seemingly become “silent” because the person involved was an ordinary young man. The post also called for attention to the plight of Brain Box James, with the caption: “If BRAINBOX were Governor Douye Diri’s son.”
Another Facebook post found online similarly reported demands for the release of “De Brain Box,” indicating that calls for his release have continued to circulate on social media.
The circumstances surrounding his detention, including the authority holding him and any formal charges against him, could not be independently established from the sources reviewed.
The growing online campaign, however, has renewed debate over freedom of expression, the rights of citizens in detention and the treatment of young people who use social media to express their views.