The Media Rights Agenda (MRA), yesterday, called on the federal and state governments to take legitimate measures to safeguard the rights and safety of Internet users, stressing that the frequent abuse and misuse of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, 2015 by public officials and powerful individuals to intimidate and harass journalists, activists, and citizens exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression was undermining cyber-security.

While speaking ahead of this year’s Safer Internet Day (SID), the group noted that though the law was originally intended to combat real cybercrime threats such as fraud and cybersecurity breaches, it had become a tool for censorship and suppression, given the growing number of cases where charges of cyber-stalking and other provisions of the law were weaponised to stifle dissent and punish legitimate criticism of public officials and influential private citizens.

MRA’s Deputy Executive Director, Ayode Longe, said:  “These actions not only undermine democratic principles, but they also violate Nigeria’s obligations under regional and international human rights instruments, which guarantee and protect the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.”

He said the theme of this year’s SID, ‘Together for a Better Internet’, underscores the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in creating a safe online space, human rights-respecting, and accessible for everyone, especially young people and vulnerable populations.

Longe continued: “While Nigeria has made significant strides in the adoption of digital technologies, threats such as online scams, data breaches, misinformation and disinformation, and other harmful content persist. There is therefore an urgent need for effective legal and policy frameworks that protect users without undermining their rights to privacy, freedom of expression, access to information and other human rights online.”

He urged the Federal Government to review and amend the Act to prevent its misuse, ensure that it is rights-respecting, and aligns with international human rights standards, providing clear guidelines for its application to prevent arbitrary or politically-motivated prosecutions.