NBA President warns Cybercrime Act weaponized against free speech

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a stark warning that Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act is being systematically misused to suppress free speech and silence dissenting voices, with critics and journalists increasingly targeted under the guise of cybercrime enforcement.

In a statement addressing the growing concern within the legal community, the NBA president cautioned that the law, originally intended to combat online fraud, hacking, and other digital crimes, has been transformed into a tool for stifling legitimate criticism and controlling public discourse. The development represents a troubling trend that threatens constitutional protections for freedom of expression.

The warning comes amid a rising number of cases where individuals, particularly journalists, activists, and social media users critical of government officials or policies, have been arrested or prosecuted under provisions of the Cybercrime Act. Legal experts and civil society organizations have documented numerous instances where the law’s vague provisions are being stretched to criminalize protected speech.

The NBA president emphasized that while combating genuine cybercrime remains important, the arbitrary application of the Act to punish commentary, satire, and investigative journalism violates fundamental rights enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution. The legal body called for urgent reforms to prevent further abuse of the legislation.

Critics of the law point to specific provisions that have been weaponized against free expression, including sections dealing with false information and online harassment, which authorities have interpreted broadly to include criticism of public officials. These provisions carry severe penalties, including imprisonment, creating a chilling effect on public discourse.

Journalists and media organizations have reported increasing harassment under the Cybercrime Act, with some reporters facing arrest for publishing stories deemed unfavorable to those in power. The trend has raised alarms among press freedom advocates who view it as part of a broader pattern of shrinking civic space in Nigeria.

Civil liberties groups have joined the NBA in calling for legislative amendments to clarify the boundaries of the Cybercrime Act and explicitly protect legitimate journalism and freedom of expression. They argue that democratic governance requires robust public debate and that laws should not be used to shield officials from scrutiny.

The NBA president urged the National Assembly to prioritize reforms that would align the Cybercrime Act with constitutional provisions on free speech while maintaining its effectiveness against genuine digital crimes. The association also called on the judiciary to resist attempts to use the courts as instruments of oppression.

International human rights organizations have previously expressed concern about Nigeria’s use of cybercrime legislation to target dissent, placing the country alongside other nations where similar laws have been criticized for facilitating authoritarian practices.

The NBA’s intervention adds significant legal weight to the growing chorus of voices demanding that Nigeria’s approach to regulating online activity respects democratic principles and protects the fundamental right to free expression that is essential to any functioning democracy.