Overview of Cyber Law and Cyber Security in Nigeria

Picture sourced from Alamy.

Between the year 2019 and 2020, I was a victim of Cyber stalking, Cyberbully

and Cyber Harassment.

Hello, My name is Ethel Willie.

In the above period, I belonged to an international network of undergraduate 

students’ in the internet, where students in my professional discipline help each 

other by giving answers to questions. Being effectively equipped by Nigeria’s

unique Educational System and its Curriculum, I and two others topped the list 

of those offering answers to questions. This led to so many genuine and ingenuine inbox messages, 60% percent of which led to Cyber Harassment. One that stood out was a particular Boy from another country who stalked, harassed, bullied and threatened me. He demanded I sent him personal nudes of myself, of which I declined and blocked several of his numbers. He threatened that he could easily retrieve my pictures from social media channels and have them edited to remove my clothed body and have it replaced with a nude body and circulate them all over the internet. 

His threat got me scared and thinking of how my life had not started, yet it had to come to an end. While troubled on whether to give in, I remembered that I have been empowered with the Knowledge of Cyber law. 

Using the boldness of knowledge that his actions constitutes Cyber Crimes, which 

can be prosecuted locally and internationally, I cited the provisions of the law, telling him I got screenshots of all the messages he sent and which will be used 

against him as evidence of Cybercrime. The young Man got so scared that he 

apologised and never contacted me again.

Now, my fear exists in the fact that, youths, old and vulnerable persons exists

who have lost their lives, properties, dignity and person to Cybercrimes, not 

knowing the existence of Cyber laws and how to ask for help?

Picture information sourced from Wikipedia.

What then is Cyber Law?

Due to the conflicting interests of humans and the need to safeguard lives and properties, the law asset of rules and regulations are made to ensure law and order is maintained in the Society.

As the Human Society continually developed, the same grew the Generations of Human rights and along with lifes’ ills. One of Man’s greatest ills is the Covid-19 Pandemic. Which brought about increased use and awareness of The Fourth Generations of Human rights: The Digital Rights. Therefore, to control the spread 

of Covid-19, lockdown Policies where made along with remote working policies 

and schemes. It therefore became important to implement and Institutionalize every Cyber law to its fullest to ensure Law and order in the Cyberspace of the human Society.

Therefore, Cyber Laws can be said to be rules and regulations made by governments to ensure that Cybercrimes are regulated and eliminated. To ensure

the protection of Rights, lives, Property, Security, Law and order in the 

Cyberspace. Many Countries have their Cyber laws and in Nigeria, we have the 

Nigerian Cybercrime Act of 2015.

Cybercrimes or Computer Crimes are offences defined by the Nigerian 

Cybercrime Act in which a computer is used as the tool or object of the Crime: 

Like: Phishing, CyberSquitting etc. In:

Section 23:1 Child Pornography: Which provides to the effect, intentionally 

computer means to produce, offer, share, receive, store, or encourage any form 

of child pornography. If these elements are proven, the person is liable to 10years 

imprisonment or a fine from 15 to 20 million Naira or both.

Section 242: Cyberstalking, Bullying and Harassment: Which provides to the 

effect of any person intentionally through Computer means causes; threat, fear,

intimidation, irritation, dehumanization, or insecurity of any person is liable to a 

prison term of 3 to 5 years and a fine from 7million Naira to 25 million Naira or 

both.

Section 25: Racist or Xenophobic offences: this provides to the effect that any 

Act of threat through computer means which is targeted to persons belonging to 

a race, gender, religious group, nation, or any Public nuisance, is liable to its 

prescribed sentence and fine or either.

Many other crimes have been provided for and made punishable in the Act. And no one, who suffers from any should remain silent or endure such crimes.

Reports can be made to the National Security Advisor (NSA) or any Government Agency. 

Also, Reports can be made through the site at www.cert.gov.ng

The internet should be used with confidentiality, integrity, and Respect for laws and persons.

Do not endure Any Cybercrime, protect yourself by keeping proofs, reporting to 

persons or groups who will be able to take the necessary action.

This Life is one, Please Stay safe!

 

1 The Nigerian Cybercrime Act 2015.

(C)Ethel Etuk Willie

Overview of Cyber Law and Cyber Security in Nigeria.

Rhealyz: Cyber Security

January, 2023.

Link on Academia

https://www.academia.edu/95932467/Overview_of_Cyber_Law_and_Cyber_Security_in_Nigeria?source=swp_share