The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Weekend reaffirmed its commitment and dedication to establishing a comprehensive cybercrime legal framework in Nigeria.
The government stated this during a Parliamentary Stakeholders Retreat on the Cybercrime Legal Framework in Nigeria organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Council of Europe and the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project (Nigeria ID4D) held at Victoria Island, Lagos.
In her welcome address, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, stated the need for technology-neutral, forward-looking legal frameworks that facilitate international cooperation.
She said Nigeria’s accession to the Budapest convention in July 2022 was a significant show of commitment to strengthening national legal framework to combat cybercrime effectively.
“Arising from the above, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Price Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, constituted a task team drawn from all relevant stakeholder organisations including the African Union Group of Cybersecurity Experts Group, the United Nations Adhoc Committee on Cybercrime and the Academia. This team has submitted an initial report which forms part of arising matters over these few days.”
The Solicitor General who was represented by the director, Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar Babadoko, stated that the National Assembly process that produced the 2024 amendment to the 2015 Cybercrimes Act demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the legal framework in Nigeria and it was a commendable attempt.
She said this underscored the need for further refinement of the current legal framework to bring it in conformity with national, regional and international standards as well as Nigeria’s obligations under relevant international instruments.
“In light of the above, we are gathered here today to collectively chart a new course, hinged on whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach for an inclusive, effective and robust legal framework on cybercrimes and cybersecurity in Nigeria,” she said.
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