Telecom & Digital

Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024

Amended the 2015 Cybercrimes Act after ECOWAS Court ruling on Section 24 — narrows the controversial 'false information' clause, restores civil-liberties safeguards.

Signed
2024-02-28
Status
In force

1 Background

The 2024 amendment was forced by an ECOWAS Court of Justice ruling that the 2015 Cybercrimes Act's Section 24 (criminalising 'false information' online with up to 3 years imprisonment) was a violation of free expression. The amendment narrowed Section 24 to specific harm-causing speech (defamation, incitement to violence) rather than broad 'false information', and tightened arrest procedures to prevent the prior pattern of pre-dawn raids on journalists and bloggers.

2 Key provisions (5)

01
Section 24 'false information' offence narrowed — must cause specific harm
02
Arrest procedures require warrant + reasonable cause
03
Press card holders entitled to additional procedural safeguards
04
Sentencing alternatives (community service, fines) for first offenders
05
Mandatory annual report on cybercrime prosecutions

3 What changed in practice

Several journalists released from pending prosecution after amendment
CSO advocacy (PRAWA, MRA) credited with bringing about the amendment
Police pre-dawn raids on bloggers significantly reduced 2024-2025

4 Who it affects

JournalistsBloggersSocial media usersCivil society

Other laws in Telecom & Digital