OSHIMILI NORTH ISSUES FIRM STATEMENT ON CYBERCRIMES (PROHIBITION, PREVENTION, AND ENFORCEMENT) ACT, 2015
Oshimili North Local Government Press Release
In continuation of our commitment to fostering civil discourse and safeguarding the dignity of our citizens, the Oshimili North Local Government Council reiterates its unwavering resolve to enforce Nigeria’s cyber-bullying laws through all appropriate authorities, ensuring sanity and restraint in all social media engagements that affect our Local Government.Recall, earlier this year, the Council issued a formal warning cautioning social media users against perpetuating cyber-bullying. We urged all citizens to engage in constructive criticism, free from character assassination and unfounded allegations and promote dialogue rooted in respect and responsibility.
Efforts to Safeguard Public Peace
Our Council has instituted comprehensive measures to combat unlawful and harmful activities including cultism, kidnapping, and land-grabbing. Among these measures is the enactment of the Public-Private Property Protection Bye-law, designed to guard against encroachments and maintain harmony within our communities. These initiatives reflect our determination that Oshimili North remains a place of peace, and that no individual or group shall exploit social media to incite unrest or fear.
Legal Mandate and Reaffirmation of Enforcement
In Nigeria, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, and Enforcement) Act, 2015 stands as the primary legislation criminalizing cyber-bullying and related offences. In particular, Section 24 of the Act stipulates that anyone who knowingly or intentionally sends messages through a computer system whether offensive, obscene, menacing, or knowingly false for the purpose of causing annoyance, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, or needless anxiety, or to threaten or harass a person so as to place them in fear of death or bodily harm, is subject to a certain fine or imprisonment of up to 3 years, or both. The Local Government hereby reaffirms its commitment to collaborate with law enforcement agencies including the police to ensure perpetrators of cyber-bullying are brought to justice.The Council reaffirms its respect for freedom of expression. We remain committed to ensuring that all individuals are free to voice opinions and concerns on any platform without fear of harassment, intimidation, or defamation. However, such expression must be exercised responsibly and without harming the image or dignity of others.We call on all social media users to uphold standards of courtesy, fairness, and truthfulness. Let constructive criticism not defamatory or malicious content be the hallmark of public engagement. Let us regard social media not as an arena for vendetta, but as a platform for informed, respectful, and community-building dialogue.
The Oshimili North Local Government Council remains steadfast in:
1. Enforcing the provisions of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015 especially Section 24 through collaboration with relevant enforcement agencies.
2. Combating community-threatening activities via existing bye-laws and proactive policing strategies.
3. Defending every citizen’s right to speak, while ensuring that no one weaponizes social media to undermine public peace or individual dignity.
This statement serves as a decisive stand against cyber-bullying in all its forms. Peaceful, respectful, and lawful social media discourse is not only protected it is expected.
We remain committed in delivering the dividends of democracy to the good people of Oshimili North Local Government. SignedHon. Innocent EsewezieExecutive Chairman of Oshimili North