BY MIKE ODEH, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) declared that online insults should be classified as cyberbullying and cautioned against such behavior under the pretext of freedom of speech.
In a social media post, police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi emphasized that hurling insults online is not protected as a form of free expression and warned that cyberbullying is a punishable offense separate from defamation.
According to Adejobi, existing cybercrime laws in Nigeria address various forms of cyberbullying, including spreading falsehoods, sharing humiliating content, and sending abusive or threatening messages online.
Raining direct curses on someone online is cyberbullying, not an expression of freedom or criticism,” Adejobi wrote. “Cyberbullying, which differs from defamation, is a criminal offense and punishable. Be guided.”
Adejobi further explained that defamation could be criminal or civil, noting that Nigeria’s laws allow for prosecution or redress in court. He highlighted provisions in the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2015 that address various forms of cyberbullying, including spreading lies, sharing embarrassing content, and sending abusive or threatening messages via digital platforms.
Inibehe Effiong challenges
In response, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong challenged the police spokesperson’s interpretation of the law, dismissing it as baseless.
“This is ignorance of the law raised to power 1000,” Effiong said. “The fact that this very ridiculous opinion is from the spokesperson of the primary law enforcement agency in Nigeria says a lot about the decadence of our institutions.”
Effiong argued that cursing someone online does not constitute a criminal offense under Nigerian law. He referenced Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution, which stipulates that for an act to be considered a crime, it must be explicitly defined as such in written law.
“Curses, such as telling someone ‘it shall not be well with you,’ are essentially prayers—whether positive or negative. The law does not concern itself with trifling or spiritual matters,” Effiong added.
He urged the police to avoid misleading statements, emphasizing that cyberbullying laws must be interpreted within the boundaries of constitutional provisions.
