Amnesty International has condemned the persistent use of Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015 by Nigerian authorities, describing it as a tool for suppressing freedom of expression and silencing dissent.
The global human rights organisation, in a statement on Tuesday, warned against the continued misuse of the law to target journalists, activists, and social media users.
It noted that the section is “vaguely worded and ambiguous,” making it a convenient instrument for authorities to clamp down on human rights defenders.
“The Nigerian authorities have been using the draconian Cybercrimes Act to undermine freedom of expression,” Amnesty International stated. “Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015 is vaguely worded and ambiguous.
The section has been relied upon by the Nigerian authorities to violate the rights to freedom of expression of human rights defenders, activists, bloggers, journalists, and social media users.”
The controversy surrounding the law gained renewed attention following the recent cybercrime charges filed against human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore.
The Nigeria Police Force arraigned Sowore before Justice M.S. Liman at the Federal High Court in Abuja under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2025.
He faces charges of cyberbullying and allegedly endangering police officers.
Over the years, several journalists, activists, and social media users have been prosecuted, detained, or brutalized by security agencies under the pretext of enforcing the Cybercrime Act.
Human rights groups continue to demand urgent reforms to prevent its misuse and safeguard press freedom in Nigeria.