Nigeria's Cybercrime Law: Social Media Arrests Explained

In Nigeria, the amended Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2024 allows for the arrest of individuals for specific social media posts under certain conditions. Section 24 of the law addresses cyberstalking and includes provisions against messages containing pornography or false information intended to disrupt public order or threaten life.

Notably, the law does not criminalize every controversial post; the intention behind the post and the knowledge of its falsehood are critical factors. The amendment also refined the previous broad definitions of cyberstalking, which had been criticized for being used against journalists and activists.

The ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled in 2022 that the old Section 24 was arbitrary and incompatible with freedom of expression. While freedom of expression is protected under Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, it does not shield all online speech from legal repercussions.

Users are advised to verify facts before posting serious allegations to avoid potential legal consequences.