CYBER STALKING OR CYBER VOYEURISM UNDER THE NIGERIAN CYBERCRIMES ACT 2015: REVIEW OF ATTORNEY GENERAL OF FEDERATION V. AYAN OLUBUNMI

Abstract

This case arguably represents the first case decided on the increasing incidents of persons posting nude pictures on the internet without the victim's consent in Nigeria. From the analysis of the facts, the court may have arrived at the correct decision, but the legal ingredients and basis upon which the decision was reached do not entirely reflect the analysis and purport of section 24(1) of the Nigerian Cybercrimes Act, 2015. Arguably, the facts of the case suit the offence of cyber voyeurism. Cyber voyeurism is the electronic transmission of images of a person engaging in a private act such as sexual intimacy or sexual act in circumstances where he/she has a reasonable expectation of privacy. In the case under review, it is found that the court missed an ample opportunity to award compensation to the victim in the case. There need for Judicial Officers and cybercrime prosecutors to familiarise themselves with this provision to reduce the impact of cybercrimes on victims.