Chude: What You Should Know About Cyberstalking Charge Against Arrested Civilian

Today, the Nigerian Police Force said it has commenced an investigation on a Twitter user, Chude Franklin Nnamdi, for cyberstalking.

The above begs the question; what is cyberstalking and its offences?

According to a press statement signed by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the force's Public Relations Officer and dated March 22, 2023, obtained by AllNews Nigeria, Chude is being investigated by the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) Abuja, for cyberstalking, pursuant to a complaint received via a petition about his activities on social media.

CHUDE NNAMDI IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR CYBERSTALKING – POLICE

The Nigeria Police hereby confirms that one Mr. Chude Franklin Nnamdi with Twitter handle ‘@chude__’ was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State on the 18th of March, 2023, and ... pic.twitter.com/z0yofEJQxr

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) March 22, 2023

The force said it contravenes the provision of Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and other criminal laws.

Cyberstalking

Cyberstalking is the repeated use of electronic communications to harass or frighten an individual, whether through email or other social media networks.

Any form of harassment or bullying that occurs online could fall under cyberstalking, and it is a punishable offence.

Chude

If Chude is guilty of cyberstalking, he risks a fine of not more than N7,000,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than three years or both such fine and imprisonment.

According to the cybercrimes (PROHIBITION, PREVENTION, ETC) Act, 2015, section 24 of the law that the Nigerian Police Force referenced in its statement criminalises sending a message via a computer system which was “grossly offensive, pornographic, or indecent, obscene or menacing character” to anyone whatsoever.

Additionally, the acts also makes it an offence to send a message or cause any such message or matter to be so sent; or to send a message, knowing it to be false for the purpose