THE CYBERCRIMES (PROHIBITION, PREVENTION, ETC) ACT 2015: LEGISLATIVE INEPTITUDE OR LACK OF TACT IN INTERNET MATTERS?

Abstract

The internet is a means of communication by which users access information in cyberspace. The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act 2015 is the applicable statute by which offences are defined and punishment prescribed for offences committed in cyberspace or through the use or medium of the internet. Although the enactment of this statute a decade ago was largely welcome, a cursory look at its provisions and how littered offences are across the entire statute begs reason contrary to established legislative norms of carefully arranging similar provisions under specific subheads as is the norm. This paper analyzes each provision of the statute and co-ordinates kindred or related offences which ought to be under one sub-head and co- ordinates them accordingly without introducing new provisions. The paper concludes that although the enactment of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act 2015 is a step in the right direction recognizing the pervasiveness of the internet in everyday Nigerian life, its current state begs reason and makes largely ineffective prosecution of offences contained therein.