In a landmark ruling, the court has declared it illegal for police and other agencies to arrest, detain, or prosecute journalists and citizens for cyberstalking, insults, and related charges under the repealed aspects of Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, hailed the decision as a significant victory for free speech.
In a statement on Thursday, Falana emphasized that all pending cases based on the now-invalidated provisions should be immediately discontinued.
Falana explained that Section 24 had previously criminalized various forms of online expression, including sending messages deemed offensive or causing annoyance.
However, following judgments by the ECOWAS Court, these provisions have been repealed, aligning the law with the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
“The Nigerian government has amended the Cybercrime Act, removing the controversial provisions and ensuring protection for free speech,” Falana stated.
“This ruling reinforces that no one should be penalized for exercising their fundamental rights online.”
This decision marks a pivotal moment in safeguarding the rights of journalists and the public against unwarranted arrests and prosecution for online activities.
Source: SaharaReporters
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