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NIGERIA’S CYBERCRIME LAW TAKES EFFECT: TINUBU SIGNS AMENDMENT INTO LAW

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  CapitalTimesNews / 2 days
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• 2 min read

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024 into law, strengthening Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework to combat evolving threats. The amendment, signed on February 28, 2024, introduces new regulations and penalties for various cyber-related offenses. The law prescribes penalties for offenses such as unauthorized access to someone’s phone or computer, with offenders facing up to 5 years imprisonment. Modifying, deleting, or obstructing someone’s data also carries a 5-year imprisonment term. More severe penalties include 15 years imprisonment for communicating or possessing “critical information” without authorization. Other notable provisions include: – *Recording Private Conversations*: 2 years imprisonment for recording private conversations without consent, even if you’re part of the conversation – *Publishing Misleading Information*: 2 years imprisonment for publishing false information – *Disclosure of Investigation*: 5 years imprisonment for disclosing receipt of summons or police call-outs for cybercrime investigations – *Online Harassment*: 2 years imprisonment for being rude, indecent, or vulgar with intent to humiliate – *Domestic Terrorism*: Life imprisonment for attempting to incite ethnic divisions among the people The amendment also introduces a cybersecurity levy, with businesses and financial institutions required to remit 0.5% of electronic transactions to a National Security Fund. The levy aims to enhance Nigeria’s cybersecurity infrastructure and combat cyber threats. The new law has sparked debates, with critics arguing that it grants excessive surveillance powers, potentially threatening privacy and free speech. However, the government asserts that the law is necessary to combat cybercrime and protect national security.