On Friday, August 1, 2025, concerns over the misuse of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act of 2015, amended in 2024, have intensified, with civil society activists and lawyers like Mr. Kunle Edun, SAN, accusing security agencies of weaponizing the law to silence government critics rather than tackling escalating cyberattacks costing the economy billions. Between 2017 and 2023, Nigerian financial institutions lost over ₦1.1 trillion to cyber threats, with 2024 alone seeing ₦53.4 billion stolen, including a ₦10 billion hack at a Tier-1 bank, per Cybervergent. The Nigerian Medical Association and telecom operators reported disruptions, while the National Bureau of Statistics spent ₦35 million on cybersecurity after a breach. The Consumer Awareness and Financial Enlightenment Initiative projects a $6 trillion economic toll by 2030 if unchecked.
Despite the Act’s provisions, particularly Section 24 on cyberstalking, which prescribes penalties up to ₦25 million or 10 years imprisonment for threats and harassment, enforcement has targeted dissenters. Cases include the December 2024 arrests of lawyer Dele Farotimi for defamation, activist Olamide Thomas for criticizing Seyi Tinubu, and TikToker Olumide Ogunsanwo for opposing the Inspector-General’s tenure extension, alongside earlier arrests of Omoyele Sowore (2019) and Chioma Okoli (2023). Edun argued these actions violate Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution guaranteeing free expression, while Mr. Nwachukwu Odoemelam warned that diverting resources from cyber threats undermines critical infrastructure and erodes trust. The Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, defended police actions, claiming public ignorance of the Act fuels misperceptions. Experts urge transparent enforcement, judicial oversight, and stakeholder collaboration to refocus on genuine cyber threats, as echoed by X posts from @SERAPNigeria on July 30, 2025, demanding accountability.
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