By Muhammad Mamman
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has accused authorities of using the country’s Cybercrime Act to silence dissent and stifle freedom of expression, raising fresh concerns over civil liberties in Africa’s most populous nation.
Speaking on Monday, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau said the law — originally enacted to combat online fraud and digital crimes — is increasingly being deployed to intimidate journalists, activists and ordinary citizens for expressing critical views online.
“The Cybercrime Act was not designed as a tool of oppression,” Maikyau said. “Unfortunately, what we are seeing today is a growing pattern where lawful expression is criminalised under the guise of cybercrime enforcement.”
His remarks follow a series of arrests and prosecutions linked to social media posts and online commentary, developments that rights groups say point to an alarming misuse of legal instruments to curb public debate.
Legal experts argue that vague provisions within the Act allow for broad interpretation, giving security agencies sweeping powers that can be exploited to suppress criticism of public officials and government policies.
The NBA president warned that such practices undermine Nigeria’s democratic foundations and violate constitutional guarantees of free speech.
“A democracy thrives on open dialogue and accountability,” Maikyau said. “Any law that is applied in a manner that chills free expression poses a serious threat to the rule of law.”
Civil society organisations have echoed these concerns, urging the federal government to review the Cybercrime Act and align its enforcement with international human rights standards.
Nigeria has faced mounting scrutiny over press freedom in recent years, with media watchdogs repeatedly calling on authorities to end harassment of journalists and ensure the protection of digital rights.
The NBA said it would continue to advocate legal reforms and challenge what it described as the “selective application” of the law, stressing that safeguarding free speech is essential to maintaining public trust in democratic institutions.
