society
Cybercrimes Act 2025: Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act Deepens Inequality, Experts Warn
Cybercrimes Act 2025:
Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act Deepens Inequality, Experts Warn.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by Sahara Weekly NG
Introduction
The Federal Government’s passage of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024, now operational in 2025, heralds entrenched contradictions. On paper, the legislation aims to bring digital order and curb online abuses. In reality, however, it magnifies inequality.
Sections criminalizing online harassment (Section 22—mirroring earlier codifications in Section 24 of the 2015 Act) and publishing false or misleading information (Section 19) are presented as noble tools for accountability. When viewed through the lens of enforcement, the story changes: the poor (politically powerless, digitally exposed and legally unprotected) shoulder the blunt force of this law, while the elite effortlessly slip through its cracks.
This is not merely a legal dilemma; it is a question of justice, class and democracy in the digital age.
Part I: What the Law Prescribes.
Online Harassment and Abuse – Section 22
Under the new law, posting rude, vulgar, offensive or indecent content with intent to embarrass or humiliate others is an offense punishable by up to 2years’ imprisonment.
This is not entirely new. The Cybercrime Act of 2015 had already addressed similar conduct under Section 24 (1), which criminalized sending “grossly offensive, pornographic, indecent, obscene or menacing” messages or false communications intended to cause “annoyance, inconvenience, danger, insult or needless anxiety.” The penalty then was 3years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to ₦7 million.
Publishing False or Misleading Information – Section 19
The new provision explicitly targets “fake news.” Anyone who spreads deliberately false or misleading content online now faces up to 2years in prison.
While the intent is to protect society from deception, vague definitions leave room for abuse. What exactly constitutes “FALSE” information in a country where government officials frequently contradict themselves? Whose truth becomes the standard?
Part II: Enforcement and Inequality.
A Resource Gap.
Cybercrime is undeniably a global threat. INTERPOL’s 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment shows cybercrime now constitutes more than 30% of reported crimes in some African states. Yet, 90% of African nations (including Nigeria) admit they lack the training, tools and prosecutorial capacity to handle such sophisticated threats.
Nigeria does have the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC), which engages in awareness and coordination. The reality is that prosecutions remain sporadic, selective and unequal.
Selective Prosecution
The elite are shielded. Politically connected individuals can hire top lawyers, secure injunctions and navigate courts to avoid consequences.
For the poor, however, the law is deadly literal. A tweet born out of frustration, a WhatsApp broadcast or even a Facebook comment can be twisted into a criminal indictment. Without access to competent legal representation, many are left at the mercy of magistrates and police officers.
The Digital Divide.
Nigeria now boasts over 152 million active internet users. Yet digital literacy remains low. Millions of Nigerians are active online without a clear understanding of the risks posed by the law.
The elite enjoy the privilege of education and access. They know how to carefully word criticism, disguise satire or even hire digital strategists. The poor (especially those posting in anger, in indigenous languages or with limited education) become easy prey.
Thus, the Cybercrimes Act, instead of being an equalizing force, has deepened digital classism.
Part III: Expert Perspectives.
Several respected voices have raised alarms about the trajectory of Nigeria’s cyber legislation:
“The Cybercrimes Act’s broad language, especially its vague definitions of ‘false information,’ ‘cyberstalking,’ and ‘harassment,’ threatens free expression and open digital discourse.”
“The Act remains insufficient in shielding Nigerian citizens from arbitrary criminalization of online expression. Reform grounded in clarity, proportionality and accountability is not only necessary, but urgent.”
“Cybercrime continues to outpace the legal systems designed to stop it. 95% of countries report inadequate training, resource constraints and lack of access to specialized tools.”
These insights underscore the real crisis: misaligned priorities. Instead of investing in capacity to tackle fraud, identity theft and large-scale scams that tarnish Nigeria’s reputation globally, the government prioritizes criminalizing insult, dissent and satire.
Part IV: The Blunt Truth.
This law, stripped of diplomatic language, is crafted to suppress, not protect.
Weaponized Vagueness
Its ambiguous language is a prosecutorial dream but a citizen’s nightmare. Terms like “OFFENSIVE” and “FALSE” are inherently subjective. What offends one politician may simply be satire or truth to the masses.
Enforcement Inequality
Justice in Nigeria is not blind; it peeks. The poor, voiceless and resourceless, face the full fury of the law, while the elite maneuver their way out.
State Surveillance over Protection.
This legislation expands state power rather than defending citizens. By criminalizing broad categories of speech, it grants government a blank check to silence critics under the guise of law.
Blinding Hypocrisy.
Nigeria loses billions annually to cybercrime syndicates; international scams, fraudulent wire transfers and phishing attacks. Yet, instead of focusing on dismantling these sophisticated networks, the government invests energy in jailing youths for Facebook insults.
Cultural and Class Bias.
Nigeria is a multilingual nation. Satirical or colloquial expression in Pidgin, Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo is more likely to be misinterpreted as “ABUSE” by law enforcement steeped in formal English. Thus, class and language again shape how the law is applied.
End Note: A Call for Reform.
Nigeria’s 2025 Cybercrimes Act, birthed from the 2015 foundation, is not the protective shield it claims to be. It is a blunt instrument used less to fight genuine cybercriminals and more to muzzle ordinary citizens.
Three urgent reforms are needed:
Transparency and Clarity: The law must define “HARASSMENT,” “FALSE INFORMATION,” and “OFFENSIVE CONTENT” with surgical precision, leaving no room for abuse.
Equitable Enforcement: Legal aid for the poor, digital literacy programs and clear prosecution guidelines are non-negotiable.
Democratic Oversight: Civil society and the judiciary must act as watchdogs, ensuring that these laws are not weaponized against free expression.
Without these safeguards, the Act will continue to serve as a tool of suppression, a digital whip for the powerless and a shield for the privileged.
The principle is simple yet profound: If laws are not applied equally, they cease to be justice. Nigeria must choose whether it seeks order through fairness or chaos through selective repression.
society
Dr. Bernard Shiaunda Eete Mobilizes Loyalists Ahead of Kenya’s General Election
Dr. Bernard Shiaunda Eete Mobilizes Loyalists Ahead of Kenya’s General Election
Ahead of Kenya’s 2027 general election, Nyanza ODM aspirant Dr. Bernard Shiaunda Eete, popularly known as Dumex3, has intensified grassroots mobilization by holding a strategic meeting with his loyalists across the region. The gathering was aimed at aligning his team, refining campaign strategies, and positioning the movement for a decisive outcome at the polls.
The meeting provided an important platform for open consultation, idea exchange, and consensus building. Dr. Eete emphasized the need for unity, discipline, and clear communication as the campaign enters a critical phase. According to attendees, the discussions focused on strengthening the political structure on the ground, addressing community concerns, and ensuring that the movement remains responsive to the aspirations of the people.
A key focus was Dr. Eete’s developmental agenda for Nyanza. He outlined his commitments to education, youth empowerment, healthcare access, and infrastructure development, noting that these areas remain central to transforming lives in the region. He urged his loyalists to carry the message to the grassroots, explaining both what has been achieved so far and what the region stands to gain if they rally behind his candidacy.
“This is not just about winning an election. It’s about building a stronger, united political movement that delivers real change for our people,” Dr. Eete told the gathering. He called on his supporters to remain focused, avoid divisive rhetoric, and engage voters with facts about his track record and plans.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment from the loyalists to expand outreach, coordinate ward-level activities, and mobilize voters ahead of party primaries and the general election. Organizers described the session as productive, noting that it sharpened the team’s resolve and clarified immediate next steps.
As political activity heats up in Nyanza, Dr. Eete’s camp says the strategy is clear: consolidate support, communicate consistently, and deliver a campaign anchored on service and results.
Live update from Kenya by Hon. Babatunde Seidu, Youths Ambassador._
society
Mayor of Brampton Honours Olajumoke Abegunde For Charitable Works
Mayor of Brampton Honours Olajumoke Abegunde For Charitable Works
…Foundation Touches Over 8,000 Women, Widows, and Youth in Ondo State…..
…Collaborates with International Partners for Free Skill Acquisition in Canada…
For Chief Mrs. Olajumoke Abegunde, the act of touching lives positively and contributing meaningfully to societal development is not merely a pastime but a deeply ingrained existential mandate. With unwavering gusto, she has remained faithful to this noble vision, championing the esoteric principle that cheerful giving and advocacy for the downtrodden are responsibilities too sacred to be left exclusively in the hands of the government.
This resolute philosophy has not only engendered transformative impact within her immediate locality but has also catapulted her onto the global stage. Recently, her passionate charitable exertions—executed both within and outside the shores of Nigeria—earned her prestigious international recognition.
A Legacy of Grassroots Transformation
As the visionary founder of the Jummy I Care Foundation, Chief Mrs. Abegunde has systematically dismantled barriers of vulnerability across Ondo State. Through sustained philanthropic gestures, she has disbursed extensive humanitarian relief and social assistance to over 3,000 indigent widows and elderly persons. In parallel, her foundation has galvanized robust support for orphaned and vulnerable children while orchestrating an ambitious women’s empowerment programme. To date, over 5,000 women have benefited from skills acquisition and income-generating activities designed to cultivate self-reliance and entrepreneurial audacity. Many of these beneficiaries have also received start-up seed capital to establish their own enterprises.
A proud alumna of Criminology and Security Studies from the National Open University of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Abegunde has also distinguished herself as a patron of youth development. She has sponsored numerous essay writing and entrepreneurship competitions across Ondo State, in addition to funding medical outreaches, orphanage interventions, Iftar and Easter entrepreneurship programmes, and sustained feeding initiatives for the less privileged.
Her core philosophy remains immutable: when those who are well-to-do invest strategically in their immediate society, the collective becomes safer, more stable, and poised for greater heights.
International Collaboration and Brampton Honour
In a decisive move to intensify her developmental footprint, the Jummy I Care Foundation recently entered into a strategic tripartite collaboration with the Habeeb Okunola Foundation and the MakeMee Elegant Foundation. Together, they delivered a gratuitous, high-impact skill acquisition training programme to residents of Brampton, Canada.
Participants were immersed in an array of artisan crafts, including the production of resin bags, photo books, picture otters, resin key holders and frame holders, ornamental flower vases, rhinestone embellishment, and the advanced technique of printing images on fabrics.
In a ceremonial recognition of her sustained benevolence, the Mayor of Brampton formally hosted Chief Mrs. Abegunde and her delegation at the mayor’s office. The mayor personally expressed profound gratitude for her unwavering support of community development and entrepreneurship. As a tangible emblem of this appreciation, she was presented with a personally signed certificate of appreciation and commendation.
Unwavering Commitment to the Future
While accepting the honour, Chief Mrs. Olajumoke Abegunde reaffirmed her immutable resolve. She declared that her commitment to touching lives remains absolute and non-negotiable. According to her, she will not relent in ensuring that more lives are touched, more support is channeled to the people, and greater stability is secured for communities. She further emphasized her dedication to cultivating the spirit of entrepreneurship among women and youths as a cornerstone for sustainable development.
With over 8,000 direct beneficiaries in Nigeria alone and an expanding international footprint, Chief Mrs. Abegunde stands as a formidable testament to the profound change one determined philanthropist can effectuate when passion meets purpose.
society
APM Senatorial Candidate Ajadi Distributes Over 500 Bags of Rice
APM Senatorial Candidate Ajadi Distributes Over 500 Bags of Rice
The Senatorial candidate of Oyo Central Senatorial District under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has distributed over 500 bags of rice to residents, party members, state executives, and key stakeholders across Oyo State ahead of the forthcoming Eid al-Adha celebration.
The gesture, which forms part of his annual humanitarian outreach, was aimed at easing economic hardship and strengthening unity among party executives, party members, and residents within the senatorial district during the festive period.
Ajadi said the distribution was a continuation of his commitment to supporting vulnerable households and fostering community solidarity, especially at a time when many families are facing rising food prices and economic pressure.
He explained that Eid al-Adha is rooted in sacrifice, sharing, and compassion, adding that political leadership must consistently reflect empathy for the people, regardless of political affiliation or election cycles.
According to him, the intervention was extended to party executives, grassroots mobilizers, youth groups, and key stakeholders across the senatorial district to ensure equitable distribution across different segments of the political structure in Oyo State.
Ajadi further noted that the initiative was designed to complement household food needs during the festive season, stressing that small acts of support can significantly ease the burden on families affected by economic challenges.
He urged political leaders at all levels to prioritize welfare-driven initiatives that have direct impact on citizens, emphasizing that leadership should go beyond campaigns to sustained service delivery and humanitarian engagement.
Beneficiaries of the rice distribution expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as timely and thoughtful amid rising food costs across the country.
They commended Ajadi for maintaining close contact with grassroots members and consistently demonstrating what they described as people-oriented leadership.
The distribution exercise was carried out across selected locations within Oyo Central Senatorial District and coordinated through local party structures to ensure fairness and orderly sharing.
Political observers in the state noted that such interventions have become a key feature of political engagement in Nigeria, particularly during festive seasons, as politicians seek to connect with constituents beyond electoral promises.
As the Eid al-Adha celebration approaches, Ajadi reaffirmed his commitment to continuing similar initiatives aimed at supporting families and promoting unity among residents of Oyo State.
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