Abuja, Nigeria – The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, SAN, has expressed deep concern over the alleged misuse of the Cybercrimes Act to suppress free speech in Nigeria. Speaking on ARISE Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday, Osigwe described the trend as a deliberate muzzling of expression under the guise of tackling cybercrime and defamation.

According to Osigwe, the law is increasingly being weaponized against critics, journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens, with individuals facing charges, investigations, and detention for alleged cybercrimes—even in cases where such offences are usually bailable.

“Free speech is being muzzled in Nigeria under the guise of charging people to court and investigating them for cybercrime and criminal defamation,” Osigwe said.

“Judges and magistrates are increasingly appearing to be tools in the hands of politicians and ‘big men,’ refusing bail even where there is no basis for denying it.”

He warned that this trend risks turning courts into an oppressive tool and undermining democracy:

“This is a violation of the right to freedom of expression and an abuse of the democratic space. Public office holders should be held to a higher standard of accountability. If people are deprived of the ability to criticise them, democracy dies. When judges become willing tools for this, they become oppressors themselves.”

The NBA president’s remarks come amid ongoing debates about the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, first enacted in 2015 and amended in 2024. While the law aims to combat online fraud, cyberterrorism, and related offences, critics argue that vaguely worded provisions, particularly around “cyberstalking,” are often misused to target journalists, activists, and citizens sharing opinions or exposing corruption.

This warning from Osigwe has reignited calls for a review of the Cybercrime Act to ensure it protects citizens’ rights rather than curtailing freedom of expression.