An Appraisal of the Civil and Criminal Liability of Cyberlibel in Nigeria

ABSTRACTThis research was "An Appraisal of the Civil and Criminal Liability for Cyberlibel in Nigeria, which focused on analyzing the legal frameworks in place to deal with cyberlibel in Nigeria, Cyberlibel is the act of disseminating false, defamatory, or disparaging information about people or organizations via electronic means. Due to the extensive use of social media and the internet, the transmission of false information and the detrimental repercussions of Cyberlibel have emerged major global concerns, especially in Nigeria. The Nigerian government has passed legislation to address this problem, notably the Cybercrime (prohibition, prevention, etc) Act of 2015, which makes a number of online offences, including Cyberlibel, illegal. The main objective of this research study had been to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of the legal framework for addressing cyberlibel in Nigeria. Also, examining the Civil and Criminal Liability of Cyberlibel in Nigeria. This research study had adopted the analytical, descriptive and comparative research methodology. This study looked at finding opportunities to improve the legal system by pointing out its shortcomings and incorporating innovative approaches and best practices from countries like the US and the UK. Through these research findings, it identified that making false and destructive statements about a person via electronic methods or online platforms is known as Cyberlibel in Nigeria. This research recommended that the Nigerian legislature should pass contemporary laws to hold people liable for defamatory activities carried out via electronic means and amend existing laws to reflect the current societal trends. Also, there should be public awareness and ongoing monitoring and review. The research had generated valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, legal practitioners, and stakeholders, with the aim of forming and enhancing the Nigerian legal framework.