The Federal Government, on Wednesday, said it was worried about the high spate of cybercrimes in the country, describing it as an emerging threat to national security.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
Consequently, it convened a meeting of critical stakeholders that included the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, as well as heads of the various anti-graft agencies.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, who flagged off the 1st National Consultation on the Cybercrimes Legal Framework, said there was a need for the country to strengthen its legal arsenal against cyber criminals.
The AGF, while acknowledging that more than half of the world’s population are active internet users, said it was getting harder to escape the use of the internet.
He said: “It goes without saying that because of the population in Nigeria, it has a considerable number of these users.
“This was even increased by the emergence of new technologies, the COVID-19 pandemic and the remote ‘work’ driven by health and safety concerns.
“While on the one hand, there is the unique opportunity and benefits that this digital transformation provides, on the other hand, there are attendant threats and challenges.
“We now have a situation where the good and the bad life – individuals, business, governments and criminals have largely migrated to cyberspace and like a writer said, ‘the growing convenience of the cyberspace comes at a cost’.
“Particularly in the area of national security, personal privacy and economic development.
‘In 2011, the Evidence Act was amended to cover the admissibility of electronic evidence in Nigeria.
“While this was a good step in the right direction, the astronomic increase of the use of technology with the gains and attendant pains – the thriving of illegal activities on the internet, the need for a comprehensive legal framework had to be met.”
He said the meeting, as the first in the series, was “designed to debrief on the main conclusions of the desk study on the Cybercrimes Act and provide a platform for inclusive dialogue, enabling us to harness the collective wisdom and expertise of all key players in the sector.”
According to Malami, SAN; “The challenges posed by cybercrime are ever-evolving, and we must remain proactive in our approach to combatting them. Our legislation must adapt to the rapidly changing threat landscape, addressing emerging trends and technologies.
“Therefore, this consultation is not merely a formality, but a critical step towards strengthening our legal arsenal against cybercriminals.
“It is a collaborative effort that will undoubtedly pave the way for a more robust and effective framework.”
In his remarks, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, who was represented by Justice Donatus Okorowo, noted that in view of the privacy and anonymity associated with the cyber world, a lot of crimes are being perpetuated and curbing them has become a problem.
He said: “The increased volume in the use of Information Technology and the observation of the positive impact on daily lives and economic interactions has led to an increase in cybercrimes in many forms.
“These crimes include hacking, financial crimes, spamming, identity theft, and more complex crimes such as cyber terrorism and financing, cyberstalking and so on.
“It is not in dispute that everybody Is a victim or is at risk of cybercrime, hence the need for a joint or collaborative effort to fight the menace.
“In recent times, stakeholders have come to the conclusion, and the right one I must say, that if you don’t contribute to reducing cybercrime in other climes. it will find its way to your doorstep.
“The Federal High Court is well represented here today as a testament to our belief in this process, In the course of administering justice, certain loopholes have been identified.
“It is thus, a welcome development that consultations have commenced on the improvements that can be made to the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Preventions) Act, to have a more robust legislation,” Justice Tsoho added.
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________ The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola
_______________________________________________________________________
“Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
