The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Afam Osigwe, SAN, has expressed deep concern over what he described as the increasing misuse of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act to stifle free speech in Nigeria.
Osigwe said the law, which was enacted to combat cybercrime and protect citizens in the digital space, is now being weaponised to silence critics, journalists, activists and ordinary Nigerians who express dissenting views, particularly on social media platforms.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on ARISE Television’s Prime Time programme, the NBA president described the trend as a deliberate attempt to muzzle freedom of expression under the guise of fighting cybercrime and defamation.
According to him, individuals are routinely arrested, investigated and charged for alleged cybercrimes or criminal defamation, even in circumstances where such offences are ordinarily bailable.
“What we are seeing is the use of the Cybercrimes Act as a tool of intimidation,” Osigwe said. “People are being picked up for expressing opinions, criticising those in power or speaking on issues of public interest. This goes against the spirit of the Constitution and democratic values.”
Osigwe also alleged that the judiciary has, in some cases, become complicit in the abuse of the law, noting that courts sometimes grant orders that enable prolonged detention or lend legitimacy to questionable prosecutions.
He warned that the continued misuse of the Cybercrimes Act poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy, press freedom and the rule of law.
“The Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, and any law that is applied in a manner that suppresses that freedom should concern every Nigerian,” he said, calling on judges to exercise greater scrutiny when dealing with cases arising from the Act.
The NBA president urged relevant authorities to respect fundamental human rights and ensure that the Cybercrimes Act is not deployed as a means of silencing opposition or critical voices.
He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to defending the rule of law and protecting citizens against abuses of legal processes, stressing that democracy can only thrive in an environment where people are free to speak without fear of intimidation or unlawful prosecution.
