By Miracle Ogunde
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has described the act of cursing people on social media as cyber bullying which is punishable under the Nigeria criminal law.
According to Adéjọbí, raining curses on people online cannot be justified as freedom of expression or constructive criticism.
In his statement, the PPRO noted: “Raining direct curses on someone online is cyberbullying, not expression of freedom or criticism. And cyberbullying, which is even different from defamation, is a criminal offense and punishable. Be guided.”
This statement comes amid discussions among netizens about the defamation case involving Nigerian singer Burna Boy and his colleague Speed Darlington, with some questioning whether the offense committed by Speed Darlington qualifies as a criminal act.
Reacting to Adejobi’s statement, one X user commented:
@felabayomi: When does raining curses become a crime? I look forward to the day someone will challenge these laws they are using to take away people’s human rights in the Supreme Court. Late Gani Fawehinmi would have challenged that law by now.
Another user, @omoopee_, agreed with the FPRO:
“You are absolutely right, sir. Raining curses and engaging in cyberbullying is not freedom of expression but an act of harm. We must all learn to express ourselves responsibly. That said, sir, please, you are yet to respond to my question.”
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