CYBERCRIME (PROHIBITION) AMENDMENT ACT

An Act prohibits cybercrimes such as hacking, fraud, and identity theft while protecting critical national infrastructure. It targets individuals and organizations involved in online activities. This empowers law enforcement to combat digital threats.

What Is This Policy?

The Cybercrimes Act, 2015 is Nigeria’s cybersecurity backbone policy. It criminalizes hacking, fraud, identity theft, child exploitation, and cyberterrorism, while protecting critical infrastructure and empowering law enforcement.

Who Does It Target?

It targets individuals, corporations, ISPs, cybercafés, and government institutions.

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Its goal is to regulate online behavior, protect critical infrastructure, and empower law enforcement to combat cybercrime.

Key Features

Unified Legal Framework: Provides a comprehensive structure for prohibiting, preventing, detecting, prosecuting, and punishing cybercrimes in Nigeria. Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure: Certain computer systems/networks can be designated as “critical infrastructure.” includes audits, inspections, and penalties for attacks on these systems. well defined cybercrime offenses

Current Status

Rollout Stage: fully operational law Coverage: applies nationwide Beneficiaries to Date: citizens, businesses, government, law enforcement Funding: Federal Government Allocation

How to Access

Official gazette National assembly website: https://nass.gov.ng Federal ministry of justice: https://justice.gov.ng

Important Terms

Term 1- Unlawful Access Gaining access to a computer system or network without authorization Term 2-Unlawful Interception

Intercepting electronic messages, emails, or communications without lawful authority. Term 3- Misuse of Devices Possession, distribution, or use of tools/software designed for committing cybercrimes (e.g., hacking tools).

Official Resources

National Assembly of Nigeria (NASS) Website: https://nass.gov.ng Address: Three Arms Zone, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory Phone: +234-9137101570 Email: [email protected] Federal Ministry of Justice Website: https://justice.gov.ng Contact: [email protected] Center for Laws of Nigeria (LawNigeria) Provides online access to federal laws, including the Cybercrimes Act. Website: https://lawnigeria.com Email: [email protected] / [email protected] Phone: +234-706-710-2097

Legal Framework

The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 (as amended 2024) is the primary legislation on cybercrime in Nigeria. It derives authority from the 1999 Constitution (Section 4 — legislative powers) and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. The Act aligns with the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, and UN General Assembly Resolution 55/63 on combating the criminal misuse of information technologies.