In a joint message marking Nigeria’s 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, ambassadors from five Western nations have urged the Nigerian government to urgently reform its Cybercrimes Act, warning that the current law threatens free speech and investor confidence.
Signed by representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Finland, and Norway, the statement highlighted growing misuse of the law—especially following its 2024 amendments—to target journalists, activists, and citizens critical of the government.“Reform is needed to protect both citizens’ rights and Nigeria’s future,” the diplomats said, stressing that vague legal terms such as “cyberstalking,” “insult,” and “false information” are increasingly being used to suppress dissent.
Since the law’s passage in 2015, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has documented at least 29 cases involving charges under the Act. A recent example involved four journalists from The Informant247 who were arrested after publishing reports on corruption at Kwara State Polytechnic.
Section 24 of the Act, which covers cyberstalking, prescribes up to three years in prison or a fine of seven million naira for messages deemed offensive or false—a provision critics say is ripe for abuse.
The envoys also cited the case of author and lawyer Dele Farotimi, who was arrested after publicly discussing judicial corruption. Although the charges were dropped, they said the incident illustrates how the law is being wielded to intimidate critics.
The statement noted that both Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission and the ECOWAS Court of Justice have expressed concern that the law violates constitutional rights and international obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Beyond its impact on civil liberties, the ambassadors warned that the law creates legal uncertainty for foreign investors, particularly in Nigeria’s growing digital economy. “Its vague provisions make it difficult for businesses to assess legal risks,” they wrote.
While commending Information Minister Mohammed Idris for his pledge to review the law in collaboration with the National Assembly, the diplomats emphasized the importance of transparency and public input in the process. They also welcomed ongoing international support through the Council of Europe’s Global Action on Cybercrime initiative.The statement, signed by US Ambassador Richard Mills Jr., UK High Commissioner Richard Montgomery, Canadian High Commissioner Pasquale Salvaggio, Finnish Ambassador Sanna Selin, and Norwegian Ambassador Svein Baera, reaffirmed the envoys’ commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic growth.
“Democracies thrive on free expression and legal clarity. The review of the Cybercrimes Act must be treated as a national priority,” the statement concluded.
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