The Federal Government has officially enacted the Cybercrimes Bill into law, implying that all provisions contained in the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2025 are now enforceable and binding across the country.
In a Legal Notice by the government on the enforceability of the legislation, everyone, especially online users, content creators, and administrators of digital platforms or social media groups, were advised to take note of the key provisions of the Act.
According to the Notice, some of the key offences under the Cybercrimes Act are, Unauthorized Access to Devices – Section 3, which makes gaining access to someone else’s phone, computer, or digital device without their permission as a criminal offence and punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment; Tampering with Data – Section 4: including Modifying, deleting, obstructing, or interfering with another person’s digital data without lawful authority is illegal, and the violation is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment
Others include Disclosure of Critical Information – Section 5: which criminalizes Sharing classified, sensitive, or “critical information infrastructure” with unauthorized persons and is Punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment; Recording Private Conversations – Section 10: this applies to Recording private discussions without proper authorization, even if you are a participant, is a violation of privacy laws; and is punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment
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Section 19 of the legislation classifies Publishing False or Misleading Information – such as Spreading fake news or publishing content that is deliberately misleading or deceptive as a criminal act; and is punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment, while Section Section 22, which provides that Online Harassment and Abuse, including posting content that is rude, vulgar, offensive, or indecent, especially with intent to embarrass or humiliate others, is an offence; and is punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment.
Section 24 of the Act provides that Inciting Ethnic Hatred or Division such as Attempting to provoke ethnic, religious, or tribal hatred through online or offline statements amounts to domestic terrorism; and is punishable by life imprisonment.
The Legal Notice further stated: “Note that if you are an Administrator of a WhatsApp Group, Facebook Page, Telegram Channel, or Any Other Online Community: You can be held liable for the content shared by members if you knowingly allow illegal content to be posted or fail to moderate appropriately. As such, always monitor your groups, enforce community guidelines, and avoid circulating unverified or inflammatory content.
The government advised the citizens to Stay Legally Protected “as Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
It added: “In this digital age, it is essential to understand and comply with the provisions of the Cybercrimes Act to avoid prosecution. Be responsible with your digital activities, and protect your legal and personal reputation.”
