Unmasking Cyberstalking: Nigeria’s Five Legal Shields You Need To Know

• Cyberstalking is a punishable offense under Nigerian law

• Five specific provisions in the Cybercrimes Act 2015 target cyberstalking

• Fines and imprisonment are potential consequences for offenders

Eko Hot Blog reports that in an era where online harassment has become increasingly prevalent, it’s crucial for Nigerians to be aware of the legal ramifications of cyberstalking.

This term refers to the use of internet and technology to harass or stalk individuals online, often through mediums like emails, text messages, and social media posts.

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Recognizing the gravity of this issue, Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act 2015 has dedicated five specific provisions to combat cyberstalking.

These provisions criminalize various acts related to online harassment, ranging from sending offensive or obscene messages to transmitting threats of harm or extortion.

According to the Act, “Knowingly or Intentionally sending a message that is offensive or obscene or menacing character or causing any such message or matter to be so sent” can result in a fine of up to ₦7,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of up to three years, or both.

Furthermore, “Knowingly or Intentionally transmitting or causing the transmission of any communication through a computer system or network to bully, threaten or harass another person” where such communication instills fear of death, violence, or bodily harm, carries a potential imprisonment term of 10 years and/or a minimum fine of ₦25,000,000.

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“Knowingly or intentionally transmitting or causing the transmission of any communication through a computer system or network containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to harm the person of another, any demand or request for a ransom for the release of any kidnapped person, to extort from any person, firm, association or corporation, any money or other thing of value” is also punishable by imprisonment for a term of 10 years and/or a minimum fine of ₦25,000,000.

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