Nigerian Cybercrime Act 2015: Rotimi Onadipe Calls The Attention Of Nigerians To Section 24 (1)

A renowned advocate of cyber safety and CEO of Internet Safety Magazine based in Nigeria, Rotimi Onadipe, has called the attention of internet users in Nigeria to Section 24 (1) of Nigeria's Cybercrime Act of 2015.

Rotimi Onadipe, who doubles as the Chairman of Internet Abuse Awareness and Prevention Project, made the call in Ibadan on Saturday during a special edition of his organisation's weekly broadcast, which was aimed at sensitising members of the public about cyber safety, fraud prevention and other risks associated with the use of internet and social media.

Addressing newsmen and members of the public in Ibadan, Onadipe said:

"Many individuals, companies and organisations are of the opinion that computer, internet or social media can be used at any time to post or share any information about anyone without considering its negative impact."

"In today's internet age, cyberstalking is on the rise and people are being bullied and blackmailed almost on a daily basis. The reputation of many individuals, companies and organisations have also been damaged due to defamatory messages that have been posted and shared online by some people."

"There are also several reports of divorced marriages, broken homes, companies that folded up and people that felt embarrassed, depressed and attempted suicide after the victims discovered that defamatory messages shared about them on social media have gone viral."

The online safety advocate attributed the rise in the spread of defamatory messages about people to ignorance of many Nigerians about Section 24 (1) of Nigeria's Cybercrime Act 2015, adding that law enforcement agencies needed to create more awareness about the Act so as to prevent the menace of cyber stalking.

"The National Assembly, National Orientation Agency, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), The Nigerian Police etc. have urgent and important roles to play in creating more awareness about the Act and educating members of the public about it."

"Many people are yet to be informed about Nigeria's Cybercrime Act 2015. It is very important that we find out what the Law says as regards to sharing of defamatory messages about people on the internet," Onadipe added.

Referring to the Act, Onadipe said: "The Law is clear and Ignorance of the Law is not an excuse."

"Section 24 (1) of the Cybercrime Act 2015 says that any person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message or other matter by means of computer systems or network that:

(a) is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character or causes any such message or matter to be so sent; or

(b) he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be sent:

Commits an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not more than #7,000,000.00 (seven million naira) or imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment."

In his final statement, Onadipe said, "Nigeria's Cybercrime Act of 2015 is very informative and educative." He advised Nigerians to get the copy and urged them to embrace it, study the whole Section of the Act and ask questions about it from relevant stakeholders. He assured that this will increase people's awareness about the offence and punishment involved when defamatory messages about people are posted or shared online.