Twitter has allegedly suspended the accounts of several influencers in Nigeria over what is believed to be a coordinated plan to influence the release of Venezuelan envoy Alex Saab.
Saab is a Colombian-born businessman of Lebanese descent mentioned in the Panama Papers. He has also been mentioned in journalistic investigations for conducting businesses with an estimated amount of $135 million with the Venezuelan government.
He was arrested on June 12, 2020, during a fuel stop at Cape Verde while on his way from Iran to Venezuela. The businessman was apprehended in accordance to an Interpol red notice in relation to his indictment in United States, accused of money laundering.
About 15 Nigerian Twitter influencers who sometime ago tweeted, calling for his release have now had their accounts allegedly suspended.
“Twitter suspends accounts which violate the Twitter Rules,” the profile pages of these suspended accounts showed.
It was also learnt many other accounts outside Nigeria were also suspended indefinitely for alleged involvement in the campaign.
A Twitter user @OdogwuAnicah wrote: “Danny walter, Tife, Volqx, Lamar, Uncle Mohamz, Pamilerin, Valhalla, Four eyed Edo Boy all got suspended.
“Mbah and Bisi got suspended too. Including @JustKelechi @Yucee_ @Divineze @ogaKnowledge, @AimThaMachine_, @UgwunnaEjikem @FestusGreen, @CO_Chiamaka @Anambra_girl.”
Early this year, two ruling party deputies visited Nigeria’s embassy in Venezuela, also asking for Saab’s liberation.
On March 17, Cape Verde’s Supreme Tribunal approved Saab’s extradition request despite a Nigerian senior lawyer Femi Falana dragging the government of Cape Verde to the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja to halt the extradition.
