Cybercrime Act: Civil Society Warns Police Against Silencing Dissent
Freedom of expression is the heartbeat of democracy, yet in Nigeria, it is increasingly being stifled under the weight of a law meant to fight online crime.
Global Rights, alongside other concerned Nigerians, has urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to halt what it calls the “persistent and unlawful weaponisation” of the Cybercrime Act against journalists and civic actors.
In an open letter, the group warned that Section 24 of the Act, originally crafted to tackle cyber fraud—is now being used as a tool of repression.
They cited recent cases, including the arrest of investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu in 2024 and the detention of Kebbi-based reporter Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa earlier this week, as evidence of the troubling trend.
Between January and August 2025, 54 cases of press freedom violations were recorded by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, with most linked to security agencies. “This is not just undemocratic,” the letter stressed, “it risks ushering in mass censorship and repression.”
The group reminded the Police that the Act was amended in 2024 to narrow its scope and pointed to a 2022 ECOWAS Court ruling declaring Section 24 incompatible with human rights treaties Nigeria is bound to uphold.
Global Rights called on the Police to deprioritise arrests under the Act, collaborate with civil society to develop clear guidelines, and reaffirm its commitment to press freedom.
“Nigeria cannot strengthen its democracy by silencing dissent,” the letter concluded. “Protecting civic freedoms will bolster accountability, transparency, and good governance.”
