Summary:
- Chude Franklin Nnamdi has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force on suspicion of cyberstalking.
- It is said that Nnamdi’s use of social media broke Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.)
- In response to what happened, the police have asked people to learn about cybercrime laws and the penalties for breaking them.
ONITSHA, Nigeria, March 22 (MandyNews.com) – The Nigeria Police Force announced on Tuesday that they have arrested and are currently investigating a Nigerian man, Chude Franklin Nnamdi, for alleged cyberstalking.
The suspect, known on Twitter as ‘@chude__’, was taken into custody in Onitsha, Anambra State on March 18, 2023.
The Nigeria Police Force arrested Nnamdi after getting a complaint that his social media activity broke Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and other criminal laws.
The case has now been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja for further investigation.
Based on what the NPF-NCCC has found so far, there is good reason to believe that Nnamdi is guilty. Because of this, the case file has been sent to the Force Legal Department for further review and possible legal action.
The arrest of Nnamdi and the ongoing investigation into his case serve as a reminder of how important it is to know and follow the law, especially when it comes to cybercrime.
As digital media continues to change quickly, governments around the world are becoming more worried about the rise of cybercrime and how it affects people, businesses, and society as a whole.
In response to this event, the Nigeria Police Force has put out a public statement telling people to learn about the laws and the penalties for breaking them.
This effort is meant to make people more aware of the possible consequences of doing illegal things online and to encourage people to use social media and other online platforms in a responsible way.
The statement was made on March 22, 2023, by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, mnipr, mipra, who is the Force Public Relations Officer at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Adejobi emphasized how important it is for people to know and understand cybercrime laws and how important it is to stay alert to new and changing threats in the digital world.
Nigeria has had more cases of cybercrime in recent years, which has led the government to take stricter steps to deal with the problem.
Since the Cybercrimes Act was signed into law in 2015, authorities have been able to investigate and prosecute people who have done things like cyberstalking, identity theft, and online fraud.
As the investigation into Nnamdi’s case continues, it remains to be seen what legal action will be taken against him, if any.
No matter what happens, this case shows how important it is to follow cybercrime laws in a world that is becoming more and more connected.
What Is Cyberstalking?
Cyberstalking is the repeated harassment, intimidation, or threat of a person or group of people through digital tools and platforms like email, social media, messaging apps, or other online channels.It’s a form of online harassment that can cause a lot of emotional and mental harm to the person who gets it.
Cyberstalkers may engage in various activities, including but not limited to:
- Sending unwanted messages, emails, or comments to the victim.
- Spreading false or damaging information about the victim online.
- Monitoring the victim’s online activities, including tracking their social media profiles, posts, and interactions.
- Attempting to gain unauthorized access to the victim’s personal information, such as passwords, financial data, or contact details.
- Creating fake profiles or impersonating the victim to damage their reputation or relationships.
- Using technology, such as GPS tracking or spyware, to monitor the victim’s movements and activities in the physical world.
Cyberstalking can cause the victim to feel afraid, anxious, depressed, and helpless.In many countries, cyberstalking is a crime that can lead to jail time, fines, or both.
To avoid cyberstalking, it’s important to have good online safety habits, like using strong and unique passwords, being careful about sharing personal information, and reporting any suspicious online behavior to the right authorities or platform administrators.
Nigeria Cyberstalking Law
Nigeria’s cyberstalking law falls under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, which was enacted in 2015. Section 24 of the Act specifically addresses cyberstalking and related offenses. It criminalizes the use of technology, such as computers or electronic devices, to harass, intimidate, threaten, or cause distress to individuals.
The law prohibits sending messages, images, or any other form of communication that is offensive, obscene, false, or menacing in nature through electronic means. This includes the use of social media platforms, emails, text messages, or any other digital channels.
Violators of the cyberstalking law can face serious penalties, which may include imprisonment, fines, or both. The severity of the penalty depends on the specific offense and the degree of harm caused to the victim.
The Cybercrimes Act serves as a legal framework for Nigerian authorities to combat various forms of cybercrime, including cyberstalking, identity theft, online fraud, and hacking, among others. The Act aims to protect citizens from digital threats and promote responsible use of electronic communication and online platforms.
Cyberstalking
(1) Any person who, by means of a public electronic communications network persistently sends a message or other matter that-
(a) is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character or causes any such message or matter to be so sent; or
(b) he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance,
inconvenience or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message
to be sent;
commits an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N2,000,000.00 or imprisonment for a term of not less than one year or to both fine and imprisonment.
(2) Any person who, through information and communication technologies, by means of a public electronic communications network, transmits or causes the transmission of any communication
(a) with intent to bully, threaten or harass another person, where such communication places another person in fear of death, violence or personal bodily injury or to another person;
(b) containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to injure the person of another, any demand or request for a ransom for the release of any kidnapped person, with intent to extort from any person, firm, association or corporation, any money or other thing of value; or
(c) containing any threat to injure 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, with intent to extort from any person, firm, association, or corporation, any money or other thing of value;
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commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction-
(i) in the case of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection to imprisonment for a term of not less than ten years or a fine of not less than N25,000,000 or to both fine and imprisonment; and
(ii) in the case of paragraph (c) of this subsection, to imprisonment for a term.
