The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has commended the House of Representatives for initiating amendments to Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act, describing the move as a critical step toward addressing long-standing concerns over the law’s misuse against journalists and the media.
The proposed legislation, titled “Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (HB 2740)”, was introduced by House spokesperson Akin Rotimi, representing Ekiti North I Federal Constituency. The bill, which passed its first reading on April 22, 2026, aims to eliminate legal ambiguities that have enabled the suppression of investigative reporting and the intimidation of whistleblowers.
CJID, in their statement, noted that the amendment specifically targets Sections 24, 27, and 38 of the Act, with provisions designed to prevent the criminalisation of legitimate journalism and ensure that public interest reporting is protected under the law. It added that the bill seeks to shift disputes involving media publications from criminal prosecution to civil remedies, while also introducing judicial oversight guided by principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality in accessing retained data.
“This represents the first significant legislative attempt to address the controversial provisions that have repeatedly been used to suppress press freedom,” the organisation stated.
Addressing Persistent Abuse of the Law
The CJID highlighted that, despite earlier amendments in 2024, the Cybercrime Act has continued to be used by security agencies to harass, arrest, and detain journalists, often under vague legal interpretations. According to the organisation, its Press Attack Tracker recorded at least 18 cases of journalists targeted under cybercrime-related charges following the 2024 amendment.
The group recalled that during a 2024 World Press Freedom Day event organised in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Rotimi had pledged that the 10th House of Representatives would review laws restricting press freedom and strengthen the media’s ability to perform its constitutional role.
Further advocacy efforts included a high-level coalition convened in May 2024, bringing together media executives, legal experts, academics, and civil society actors. The coalition expressed deep concern over the persistent misuse of the Act, citing legal ambiguities, abuse of power by security agencies, and weak accountability mechanisms as major drivers of press repression.
Legislative Engagement and Reform Push
In February 2026, CJID, on behalf of the Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF), submitted a memorandum to Godswill Akpabio through Senator Salisu Shuaibu Afolabi. The memorandum called for urgent reforms to corresponding provisions in the Senate’s amendment bill, emphasising the need to close legal loopholes that enable the targeting of journalists and whistleblowers.
Call for Thorough and Rights-Based Review
While applauding the House’s action, CJID urged lawmakers, under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, to ensure a comprehensive and precise review process that would prevent the law from being misinterpreted or weaponised against the press.
The organisation also warned against introducing new provisions that could further endanger media freedom, stressing the importance of aligning the law with constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards.
“A successful amendment will significantly reduce the criminalisation of legitimate journalistic activities and foster a safer environment for the media to operate,” CJID stated.
Commitment to Press Freedom
The CJID reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the National Assembly in crafting legislation that addresses evolving digital challenges while safeguarding fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression, press freedom, and whistleblower protection.
It maintained that strengthening legal protections for journalists is essential to sustaining democracy and accountability in Nigeria.
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