The Cybercrime Act, originally enacted in 2015 to combat cyber threats in Nigeria, has increasingly become a tool for authorities to suppress dissent. Instead of being used strictly against cybercriminals, the law has been repeatedly leveraged to arrest, detain, and intimidate journalists, activists, and social media critics.
In recent years, several high-profile cases have highlighted the authorities’ use of the Act—particularly its controversial provisions on cyberstalking and cyberbullying—to silence voices that challenge government actions or expose misconduct.
One of the most alarming examples is the arrest of activist Olamide Thomas, who participated in the #EndSARS memorial protest on October 20, 2024. After live-streaming her alleged brutalization by police at the Lekki Toll Gate and cursing public officials, she was arrested months later and charged under the Cybercrime Act for “bullying, threatening, and harassing” the president’s son.
Thomas was detained for nearly a month, enduring harsh conditions, including alleged chemical exposure while in police custody. Though eventually released on bail, she lost her job due to safety concerns raised by her employers.
Her case is far from isolated. Several journalists and critics have faced similar fates:
- Daniel Ojukwu, an investigative journalist, was detained in May 2024 for exposing alleged corruption in the presidency’s Sustainable Development Goals office.
- Segun Olatunji, former editor of FirstNews, was abducted by soldiers and held incommunicado for publishing critical reports about the government.
- Salihu Ayatullahi and Adisa-Jaji Azeez, editors of Informant 247, were arrested over reports exposing financial mismanagement at Kwara State Polytechnic.
- Mienpamo Onitsha, founder of Naija Live TV, was detained under the Cybercrime Act for reporting unrest in the Niger Delta.
- Omoyele Sowore, activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, was arrested for calling the Inspector General of Police “illegal” online.
- Popular TikTokers, including Olumide Ogunsanwo (Sea King) and Timothy Gabriel (Tumma), were also arrested for criticizing politicians and religious figures.
While the police insist they are enforcing the law and not targeting critics, human rights lawyers and activists disagree.
Legal experts argue that the amended Cybercrime Act still contains vague provisions that allow authorities to criminalize free speech. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong dismissed police claims that cursing someone online is a crime, stating that the law should not concern itself with superstitions or personal opinions.
Similarly, lawyer Kabir Akingbolu condemned the police for misusing the Act to serve the interests of the powerful. “There are unscrupulous officers who exploit the law for personal gain, often arresting critics on behalf of influential figures,” he said.
The Executive Director of the International Human Rights and Dignity Defenders, David Omeike, described the situation as a serious threat to democracy. “The vague and overtly bloated Cybercrime Act creates room for corrupt leaders to victimise journalists and activists,” he warned.
Amid growing concerns over the misuse of the Cybercrime Act, legal professionals and rights groups have called for urgent reforms. They argue that while cybercrime laws are necessary, they should not be weaponized to stifle free expression.
Many advocates believe mass mobilization and legal education are needed to push back against authoritarian misuse of the law. Others insist that journalists must remain ethical and professional in their reporting while standing firm against government intimidation.
For now, Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act remains a double-edged sword—one that continues to be used against those who dare to speak out.
