This is a high-level overview of what the Cybercrime Act 2015 provides, and things we should be aware of.


1. The Nigerian Cybercrime Act 2015 gives the President the power to designate certain computer systems, networks and information infrastructure vital to the national security of Nigeria or the economic and social well-being of its citizens, as constituting Critical National Information Infrastructure , and to implement procedures, guidelines, and conduct audits in furtherance of that. Examples of systems, which could be designated as such, include transport, communication, banking etc. To find out more about what such a plan should look like, you can check the USA’s National Infrastructure Protection Plan here , or the European Union’s
here .


2. The Nigerian Cybercrime Act 2015 prescribes the death penalty for an offence committed against a system or network that has been designated critical national infrastructure of Nigeria that results in the death of an individual (amongst other punishments for lesser crimes).


3. Under the Cybercrime Act 2015 in Nigeria,
hackers , if found guilty, of unlawfully accessing a computer system or network, are liable to a fine of up to N10 million or a term of imprisonment of 5 years (depending on the purpose of the hack). The same punishment is also meted out to
Internet fraudsters who perpetuate their acts either by sending electronic messages, or accessing and using data stored on computer systems.


4. The Cybercrime Act 2015 Makes provision for
identity theft, with the punishment of imprisonment for a term of not less than 3 years or a fine of not less than N7 million or to both fine and imprisonment. An example of identity fraud would be the individual who impersonated Chief Bola Tinubu on Facebook and was apprehended
recently by the police.


5. Specifically creates child pornography offences, with punishments of imprisonment for a term of 10 years or a fine of not less than N20 million or to both fine and imprisonment, depending on the nature of the offence and the act carried out by the accused persons. Offences include, amongst others: producing, procuring, distributing, and possession of child pornography.


6. Outlaws Cyber-stalking and Cyber-bullying and prescribes punishment ranging from a fine of not less than N2 million or imprisonment for a term of not less than 1 year or to both fine and imprisonment, up to a term of not less than 10 years or a fine of not less than N25 million or to both fine and imprisonment; depending on the severity of the offence.


7. The Nigerian Cybercrime Act 2015 prohibits
cybersquatting , which is registering or using an Internet domain name with bad faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else, or to profit by selling to its rightful owner. Individuals who engage in this are liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than 2 years or a fine of not less than N5 million or to both fine and imprisonment.


8. Forbids the distribution of racist and xenophobic material to the public through a computer system or network (e.g. Facebook and Twitter), it also prohibits the use of threats of violence and insulting statements to persons based on race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin. Persons found guilty of this are liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than 5 years or to a fine of not less than N10million or to both fine and imprisonment.


9. The Cybercrime Act 2015 mandates that service providers shall keep all traffic data and subscriber information having due regard to the individual’s constitutional Right to privacy, and shall take appropriate measures to safeguard the confidentiality of the data retained, processed or retrieved


10. Allows for the interception of electronic communication , by way of a court order by a Judge, where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the content of any electronic communication is reasonably required for the purposes of a criminal investigation or proceedings.

The above is just a high-level overview of certain interesting provisions in the newly passed legislation. The Act itself contains 43 sections, and is a very important piece of legislation to foster the development of the nascent ICT sector in Nigeria. You can read the full provisions of the Act here – CyberCrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015

Who is the presidency?

Go control BH, Fulani herdsmen, armed bandits, unabating executive/institutionalized corruption, deteriorating economy, unemployment, obey rule of law etc & leave the social media alone.Ndi ara.

There's an urgent need to regulate social media in Nigeria, lots of mad people on Facebook and so many cyber terrorists on nairaland

And who's going to control the cabals?

Who's going to control the presidency?

Why is the social media a task for the presidency?


Nigerians, you need a visionary as a leader and not some old junks with backwardness and criminal mindset..,.

A government that is only interested in importing laws that suit it. What about importing good governance? You say other countries are enacting laws to regulate the social media; but they are also building and equipping hospitals and schools, building roads etc. Tell me how many world class hospitals that is equipped to world standard that Buhari has built?

The executive wants to control the social media, but doesn't believe in checks and balances.

useless presidency . supported only by vile zombies

Racoon:
Go control BH, Fulani herdsmen, armed bandits, deteriorating economy, unemployment & leave the social media alone.

Buhari like soft work,you know he is old

Hmmm. Nawa o. The government is bent on gagging the masses. You can't beat a child and also tell the child not to cry.

I don't know who needs this but if you are In need of CAC company registration, Business Name registration, Trustees, NGO, NAFDAC number on your products etc, talk to us at www. Lawlab. Com. ng
The interesting part is that consultation is free of charge. Yes! Free of charge.

orion7:
useless presidency . supported only by vile zombies

supported by evil people

Go and control DSS first

The presidency should set an example by deleting his twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts..

Meanwhile Nigerians No Wan Make President Buhari Rest for Social Media !!!!

Read Latest Attacks Below ...











Truly Baba Don Suffer

..... Anyway On Behalf of 2 Million i donate his latest "I Don Care Pictures"

Control corruption first... Fools!!!!

"The dogs and baboons will be soaked in blood"
Nobody was arrested for this statement
Another governor said "they will return in bodybags". Nothing happened.

Seun once predicted this and he has earned my respect this morning.

Every nairalander should note this today that this government is afraid of the people. There's so much to this social media bill. If you let them silence you, they will start unleashing the plans because you can't talk.

They have done a lot of homework and believe that Nigerians protest heavily on social media against every unfavorable plans. For example increase in price of data back then followed by Ruga.

Ogun kee everyone supporting this stupid idea. If you quote me and say nonsense you will die miserably too.

This one is for DSS, don't even think about arresting me cos you can't get me alive. I rather die than be your dog.

Enough said!

Mad fellows.

Government should invest massively in education, ignorance on the path of the citizen is responsible for their taking social media post serious. Not only the uneducated ones even some so called educated illiterate.

Ok wat goes around comes around

Oga pls control the economy and security instead.

Can we just be honest to ourselves and come together in unison to proclaim that we made a huge mistake voting a tyrant into democracy?

Is this garbage shehu still on this social media bill.. they wanna silence us and push us around like cows

Damn you...your administration promises us to control corruption not social media. Find a lasting solution to the corruption and leave social media for the local men.


Check my signature my people

Some of the laws PDP introduced while in power is working against them now

Allow the hate speech bill
Then let's see how it will look after 4 years

Ok

Social media needs control but the govt should face more important issues

Kindly commission a bill that will be capital punishment for any corrupt practices among public officers. Then we will gladly welcome the social media bill.

olaolulazio:
Control corruption first... Fools!!!!

Are you corrupt? Have you eaten of corruption?