The Take-It-Back Movement, a prominent civil rights group, is calling for the immediate repeal of the Nigerian Cybercrime Act, which has been used to target citizens, activists, and journalists in violation of their fundamental rights to free speech, freedom of the press, and the right to protest. The movement argues that the law has been weaponized by authorities to suppress dissent, silence critics, and undermine democracy.
The Cybercrime Act, originally intended to tackle online fraud and cybercrime, has been criticized for its broad and vague provisions that have been repeatedly misused to curtail civil liberties. Activists, human rights defenders, journalists, and ordinary citizens have faced charges under the law for expressing dissenting opinions or sharing content critical of the government. Many of these individuals are subjected to harassment, arrest, and detention, even when their actions are protected by the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights standards.
The Take-It-Back Movement emphasizes that the Act disproportionately affects the media and activists, who have become primary targets in recent years. "The Nigerian Cybercrime Act has become a tool of oppression," the Movement’s National Coordinator. "Instead of fighting cybercrime, the law is being wielded by the state as a political weapon to stifle opposition and silence those who speak truth to power. It has been used against journalists simply doing their jobs, and against citizens who peacefully express their views online."
In response to the growing misuse of the Cybercrime Act, the Take-It-Back Movement is demanding that the Nigerian government take immediate action to repeal the law, or at the very least, amend it to ensure that it no longer endangers the rights of citizens, activists, and journalists. The Movement further calls for an independent review of all cases where individuals have been wrongfully prosecuted under the law, and for all charges to be dropped.
The Take-It-Back Movement also urges international bodies, including the United Nations and the African Union, to apply diplomatic pressure on the Nigerian government to respect fundamental human rights, guarantee freedom of expression, and put an end to the abuse of the Cybercrime Act.