It is important in this era of social media prevalence that every active online user is familiar with the provisions of the Cyber Crimes Prohibition Act.
When a person sends a message via computer that is grossly offensive, menacing, pornographic, obscenely indecent, criminally intimidating or false with the aim of causing needless anxiety, insult, danger, obstruction, threat to kidnap/request for ransom, bullying, violence, bodily harm or death, it constitutes an offence known as Cyber stalking, provided for under Section 24 of the Cyber Crimes Prohibition Act. So, anyone who uses the internet or other electronic means to stalk or harass an individual, a group or an organization may be guilty of the offence of Cyber stalking.
It may include false accusations, defamation, slander and libel.
Cyber stalking has become very popular and common due to the prevalence of social media in modern times, as such a lot of discretion needs to be exercised in the use of media. Anyone who is found guilty of the said offence is liable to a fine of N7,000,000.00 (Seven Million Naira) only or three years imprisonment or both fine and imprisonment.
In addition to the above, any person who intentionally transmits any communication through a computer system to bully, threaten or harass another person, where such communication places another person in fear of death, violence or bodily harm or to another person; commits an offence under the Cyber Crimes Prohibition Act and is liable on conviction to a term of 10 years and /or a minimum fine of N25,000,000.00 (Twenty Five Million Naira) only.
