NGE kicks against abuse Of Cybercrime Act by law enforcement agents

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By CHIKA CHIMEZIE

The Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the elite professional body of Managing Directors, Directors of News and Editors in print, broadcast, news agency and online organization in Nigeria, met on September 17, 2025 in Jos, Plateau State and after robust deliberations on critical issues affecting the media, governance and the society resolved as follows:

Strongly condemns the abuse of the Cybercrime Act (Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act by law enforcement agents, particularly the police, to harass, intimidate, arrest and illegally detain journalists who are exercising their rights to freedom of the press and thereby undermining democracy and the rule of law. The Guild will no longer tolerate this abuse and will use all legal means to ensure the protection of the fundamental human rights of journalists, freedom of the press and freedom of expression.

Calls for a thorough review of the Cybercrime Act and its use for the original intension, which is to fight cybercrime in relation to financial fraud, identity theft and attacks on computer systems, among others.

Reminds security agencies that the Ombudsman process instituted by the Nigerian Press Organisation is capable of addressing infractions to the Code of Journalism Ethics as has been proven in the past. Security agencies should respect this process by encouraging those who write petitions and making them the arbiter to approach the Ombudsman or seek legal redress instead of making security agencies tool of oppression, intimidation and harassment.

Calls on journalists to do their job with high level of professionalism by adhering to the Code of Ethics approved by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) and not to engage in any form of blackmail, and defamation whatsoever.