FACT CHECK: Viral post on passage of ‘Cybercrimes Act 2025’ is false

A recent social media post alleges that Nigeria’s National Assembly has enacted the “Cybercrimes Act 2025,” claiming that its provisions are now enforceable across the country. The post has been widely circulated on platforms including X, WhatsApp, and Facebook, featuring statements about the supposed legislation and its penalties for unauthorized access to personal devices.

The claims originate from posts referencing Senate President Godswill Akpabio and suggesting that users must familiarize themselves with this law. A notable example comes from media personality Daddy Freeze, who shared the post alongside a screenshot from a blogspot.

However, investigations by CableCheck reveal that no such legislation exists under the title “Cybercrimes Act 2025.” The active law concerning cybercrimes is the “Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024,” which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on February 28, 2024. This amendment updated certain sections of the original Cybercrimes Act from 2015.

Additionally, the timing of the viral post coincided with the National Assembly’s annual recess, which commenced on July 23, making it impossible for any new legislation to be passed during that period. Furthermore, the penalties described in the viral claims do not match those found in the existing 2024 Act.

Why it matters:

• The misunderstanding surrounding this act could lead to confusion among online platform users and content creators about their rights and responsibilities.
• This incident highlights the importance of verifying information, particularly regarding legislative changes that may impact digital activities.

The latest:

• Investigations confirm that the alleged “Cybercrimes Act 2025” is completely fictitious, as the existing law is the “Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024.”