By Michael Adesina
The Federal Government has formally enacted the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act into full force, making all its provisions legally binding across the country.
The announcement serves as a strong warning to internet users, content creators, and digital platform administrators to acquaint themselves with the law and ensure strict compliance.
The Cybercrimes Act, which outlines several offenses related to digital conduct, is aimed at curbing criminal activity online, protecting national infrastructure, and ensuring the safety and integrity of Nigeria’s digital space.
Key Offenses and Penalties
Under the now-active Act, several offenses carry serious legal consequences, including imprisonment terms ranging from two years to life, depending on the severity of the crime.
Some of the major offenses outlined include:
Unauthorized Access to Devices (Section 3):
Gaining access to another person’s phone, computer, or digital device without their consent is a criminal offense.
Penalty: Up to 5 years imprisonment.
Tampering with Digital Data (Section 4):
Altering, deleting, or interfering with another person’s digital files or information without lawful authority is now punishable by law.
Penalty: Up to 5 years imprisonment.
Disclosure of Critical Infrastructure Information (Section 5):
Sharing classified or sensitive government or national infrastructure data with unauthorized individuals constitutes a grave offense.
Penalty: Up to 15 years imprisonment.
Recording Private Conversations (Section 10):
Recording conversations without proper authorization—even as a participant—is deemed a violation of privacy.
Penalty: Up to 2 years imprisonment.
Publishing False or Misleading Information (Section 19):
Spreading fake news or deliberately deceptive content online is now a criminal act.
Penalty: Up to 2 years imprisonment.
Online Harassment and Abuse (Section 22):
Posting vulgar, offensive, or indecent content with the intent to embarrass or cause distress constitutes online abuse.
Penalty: Up to 2 years imprisonment.
Inciting Ethnic or Religious Hatred (Section 24):
Any online or offline act aimed at provoking ethnic, tribal, or religious hatred is categorized under domestic terrorism.
Penalty: Life imprisonment.
Group Admins to Be Held Liable
The government also issued a stern warning to administrators of WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, Telegram channels, and other digital communities. According to the Act, admins can be held legally responsible if they knowingly allow the circulation of illegal or harmful content within their groups.
“Admins must actively moderate their platforms and enforce community guidelines. Ignorance or negligence will not be an acceptable defense under the law,” the statement noted.
Stay Informed, Stay Protected
As the digital landscape evolves, the Federal Government is urging all Nigerians to exercise responsibility and caution in their online engagements. Citizens are advised to verify the legality of their digital actions to avoid prosecution.
“Cyberlaw is not optional. It is now an enforceable framework with consequences. Every Nigerian, especially those active online, must be aware and comply accordingly,” the notice emphasized.
The government emphasized that ignorance of the law will not shield violators from penalties and encouraged the public to stay informed in order to remain legally protected.
