The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) warmly welcomes the proposed amendment to the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, currently before the House of Representatives. This landmark bill represents a critical step toward safeguarding freedom of expression, protecting investigative journalism, and strengthening democratic accountability in Nigeria.
For years, provisions within the Cybercrime Act—particularly Section 24—have been widely criticized for their vague and overly broad language, which enabled the criminalization of legitimate expression. These ambiguities have too often been exploited to harass, intimidate, and detain journalists, activists, and citizens for exercising their constitutional rights.
The proposed amendment directly addresses these concerns by clearly distinguishing between criminal conduct and civil disputes. By mandating that matters such as defamation, reputational harm, and alleged falsehoods be handled through civil remedies rather than criminal prosecution, the bill removes a major tool of repression and aligns Nigeria’s legal framework with democratic norms and international human rights standards.
CDHR particularly commends the provision that limits the discretionary powers of law enforcement agencies by requiring that determinations of falsity or harm be made exclusively by a court of competent jurisdiction. This reinforces due process and helps prevent arbitrary arrests and abuse of power.
Equally commendable is the explicit protection granted to journalists and whistleblowers who handle confidential information in the public interest. This safeguard is essential for promoting transparency, exposing corruption, and strengthening public trust in governance.
The introduction of judicial oversight for access to communications and data is another welcome reform. By embedding the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality, the amendment helps to protect the privacy of citizens and the confidentiality of journalistic sources.
While CDHR applauds these progressive steps, we urge the National Assembly to ensure that the legislative process remains transparent and inclusive, allowing for meaningful input from civil society, media organizations, and other stakeholders. We also call for the swift passage of the bill and its assent into law to end the longstanding misuse of the Cybercrime Act.
Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment. This amendment offers an opportunity to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to constitutional freedoms, the rule of law, and democratic governance.
CDHR remains committed to advocating for laws and policies that uphold human dignity, protect civic space, and promote justice for all.
Signed:
Comrade Debo Adeniran
CDHR President and Secretary Board of Trustee
Comrade Deacon Jeremiah Onyibe
National Publicity Secretary CDHR
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