The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has declared that online insults, including direct curses, constitute cyberbullying, which is punishable under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2015. However, this interpretation has sparked legal debate.
Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Position on Cyberbullying
- Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, stated that online insults, such as curses, do not fall under freedom of expression but rather constitute cyberbullying, distinct from defamation.
- He warned that cyberbullying offenses include spreading falsehoods, sharing embarrassing content, and sending abusive messages, all punishable under the law.
- Adejobi clarified that defamation may be pursued as civil or criminal cases, but cyberbullying remains explicitly addressed in the Cybercrimes Act.
Legal Challenge
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong countered the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) interpretation, calling it legally unfounded:
- Effiong cited Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution, emphasizing that only acts explicitly defined in written law can be considered crimes.
- He argued that curses, such as “it shall not be well with you,” are more akin to spiritual or trivial expressions and cannot constitute a criminal offense.
- Effiong urged the police to avoid misinterpreting the law, emphasizing that cybercrime laws must align with constitutional boundaries.
Public Reaction
The announcement has sparked nationwide debates over:
- The boundaries of free speech versus cyberbullying.
- The scope of the Cybercrimes Act and its alignment with constitutional provisions.
- The balance between protecting individuals from online harassment and safeguarding freedom of expression.
This discussion highlights the complexities of regulating digital interactions in Nigeria, raising critical questions about how cybercrime laws are applied and interpreted in the context of free speech and legal definitions.
A resolution may require judicial clarification to harmonize laws and constitutional guarantees.