Nigerian Police To Move From Criminalizing Alleged Libel to Locking Citizens Up for Mere Vulgar Abuse: The Sad but Dangerous Trajectory of Criminalizing Free Speech in Nigeria

In a recent development that should alarm every citizen who values freedom of expression, the Nigerian Police spokesperson declared that “raining direct curses on someone online is cyberbullying, not an expression of freedom or criticism. And cyberbullying, which is even different from defamation, is a criminal offence and punishable. Be guided.”

While this statement may appear benign or even logical to some, it reveals a deeply concerning trajectory for the criminalization of free speech in Nigeria. What begins as the criminal prosecution of alleged libel—like we see in the ongoing case of Dele Farotimi—threatens to morph into a blanket clampdown on dissent, criticism, and even the constitutionally protected right to insult public officials.

The Slippery Slope of Criminalizing Libel

At its core, criminal libel laws are an affront to modern democracy and free speech. They empower those in power to suppress dissent and avoid accountability. Dele Farotimi’s ongoing ordeal, where a writer faces staggering bail conditions and public gagging for alleged defamation, is a troubling example of how criminal libel laws are weaponized to silence critics.

Now, just as some of us have feared from the beginning, the police are now escalating this assault on free speech by attempting to classify vulgar expressions—what they call “raining curses”—as criminal acts under the guise of cyberbullying.

This shift is deeply problematic for several reasons:

1.Blurring the Line Between Expression and Crime

Vulgarity and abusive language, while uncivil, have long been recognized as a protected form of free speech in democracies worldwide. They may offend, but they do not constitute criminal acts unless they incite violence or constitute a direct threat. To classify such expressions as “cyberbullying” is to dangerously blur the line between rudeness and criminality, opening the door to arbitrary enforcement.

2.Weaponizing Cybercrime Laws

By equating vulgar abuse with cyberbullying and criminalizing it, the police are repurposing and weaponizing cybercrime laws intended to protect against genuine threats like hacking and harassment. This misuse of legal frameworks undermines their original purpose and creates a chilling effect on online discourse.

This was my fear all along, and they have not even waited for Dele Farotimi’s farcical trial to end before telegraphing their suspected end goal, which is to hold all of us who reserve our rights to speak accountable in ways that suppress dissent like a suspended terror.

3.The Precursor to Silencing Dissent

The history of Nigeria shows us that the criminalization of speech is often a precursor to broader crackdowns on dissent. What begins as punishing defamatory statements evolves into targeting any form of criticism, vulgar or otherwise, especially when directed at those in power. This trajectory risks creating an environment where even mild criticism can be construed as a criminal act.

4.Undermining Democratic Accountability

Public officials and leaders are not above criticism, even if that criticism is harsh, vulgar, or unflattering. A thriving democracy requires the ability to hold leaders accountable, and this includes the right to ridicule, satirize, or even insult them. As I have warned Nigerians in some of my daily writings on Dele Farotimi’s abduction and ongoing charade of a trial, criminalizing vulgar abuse is a step toward shielding public figures from any form of public accountability.

5.Erosion of Fundamental Human Rights

The right to free speech, enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights treaties, is not limited to polite or civil discourse. Free speech includes the right to express dissent, frustration, and even anger in ways that may offend. By criminalizing these expressions, the state is eroding the very foundation of a free and democratic society.

Why This Matters to Every Nigerian

The real danger here is not just the intent to criminalize vulgar abuse but the broader implications for civil liberties. If the state can decide what constitutes “cyberbullying,” “abuse,” or “raining curses,” what’s to stop them from prosecuting anyone who disagrees with government policies or criticizes public officials online?

This is not about protecting individuals from harm or preserving the reputation of the fat cats among us; it’s about consolidating power and creating a culture of fear. By silencing voices like Dele Farotimi and threatening ordinary citizens with prosecution for “raining curses,” the government is sending a clear message: dissent will not be tolerated.

The Way Forward

To combat this dangerous trajectory, we must:

1.Call on the Inspector General of Police and President Tinubu

The President, who himself was once a master dissenter and leader of an even violent organization that fought the military to a standstill with words and action, cannot now be saying citizens cannot even “abuse” or “rain curses” on their leaders if that’s how they feel. We must assume, until proven otherwise, that this Police PRO is a lone wolf taking the hunt for critics to a level they were not sent.

2.Challenge Criminal Libel Laws

Civil society organizations, human rights lawyers, and concerned citizens must intensify efforts to repeal criminal libel laws in Nigeria. Libel should remain a civil matter, not a criminal one. Only then can our fundamental human rights to free speech be guaranteed.

3.Resist Misuse of Cybercrime Laws (Peacefully)

I do not advocate violence in any form, but we must peacefully resist the misuse of cybercrime laws. These frameworks must be reexamined and amended to ensure they cannot be weaponized against free speech. Laws targeting genuine harassment should be clear and narrowly defined to avoid misuse.

4.Educate the Public on Their Rights

Nigerians must understand their fundamental rights to free speech, including the right to criticize or insult public officials, without fear of criminal prosecution. Those urging the government and leaders to “teach dissenters a lesson” may wake up one day to realize it’s their turn to face jail just because they “rained abuse” on their governor in frustration.

5.Hold Leaders Accountable

Public officials and police authorities must be reminded that they serve the people, not the other way around. Criticism, even harsh criticism, is part of the democratic process, and leaders must be willing to accept it.

Conclusion

The police’s attempt to criminalize vulgar abuse is not just an attack on online decorum; it is a calculated move to stifle dissent and silence citizens. If left unchecked, this trajectory will lead to a society where fear replaces freedom, and silence becomes the only safe option.

Our lives as Nigerians cannot matter if we allow the lives of our brothers and sisters to be disregarded just because we don’t like what they have to say—or how they say it.

Yes, my name is Ope Banwo, Founder of Naija Lives Matter and I say ‘Shior!’ To the Police PRO for the threats credited to him and hope saying ‘Shior!’ To the police is not the kind of vulgar abuse they want to equate with cyber terrorism now 🤷🏿‍♂️🤷🏿‍♂️🤷🏿‍♂️ 🏃🏿‍♂️🏃🏿‍♂️🏃🏿‍♂️🏃🏿‍♂️🏃🏿‍♂️