Engaging in cyberstalking, which involves using internet and technology to harass or stalk individuals online, may result in criminal charges in Nigeria. This form of online harassment, similar to cyberbullying and traditional stalking, often takes place through emails, text messages, and social media posts.
Cyberstalking is characterized by deliberate and systematic behavior, posing significant risks to its victims.
Recent reports indicate that Nigerian police arrested popular singer Cynthia Morgan on allegations of cyberstalking and harassment against the crown prince of Benin, Ezelekhae Ewuare. A petition from Prince Ewuare’s legal team circulated online, alleging that the singer had been attempting to contact the prince against his wishes.
In Nigeria, cyberstalking is addressed under the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, which includes specific regulations aimed at combating this behavior. Section 24 of the act criminalizes cyberstalking and outlines various prohibited acts related to it.
“1. 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. Such offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not more than ₦7,000,000.00 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
“2. Knowingly or Intentionally sending a message that one knows to be false for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another or causing such a message to be sent. Such offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not more than ₦7,000,000.00 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
“3. 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 places another person in fear of death, violence or bodily harm or to another person[5]. Such an offender will be liable to imprisonment for a term of 10 years and/or a minimum fine of ₦25,000,000.00.
“4. 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[7]. Such offender will be liable to imprisonment for a term of 10 years and/or a minimum fine of ₦25,000,000.00.
“5. Knowingly or intentionally transmitting or causing the transmission of any communication through a computer system or network containing any threat to harm the property or reputation of the addressee or of another or the reputation of a deceased person or any threat to accuse the addressee or any other person of a crime, to extort from any person, firm, association, or corporation, any money or other thing of value. Such offender shall be liable to imprisonment for a term of 5 years and/or a minimum fine of ₦15,000,000.00.”
