FACT CHECK: CLAIM THAT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PASSED ‘CYBERCRIMES ACT 2025’ IS FALSE
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Agency report
A post circulating on social media platforms alleges that the national assembly has passed into law the “Cybercrimes Act 2025.”
The claim, widely shared on X, WhatsApp, and Facebook, further stated that the provisions of the supposed law are “now fully binding and enforceable across Nigeria.”
According to part of the viral post: “The new Cybercrimes Act 2025 has officially been passed into law by the National Assembly under Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This means every provision in the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act is now fully binding and enforceable across Nigeria.”
It also warned: “If you’re an online user, content creator, or admin of any digital platform (WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, etc.), you must know what this law says — because ignorance will not be an excuse.”
One of the supposed provisions cited in the post claims that anyone who accesses another person’s mobile gadgets without permission is “punishable by up to 5 years in prison.”
The post was shared in near-identical formats by multiple X users, some of whom paired it with a photo of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Nigerian media personality Daddy Freeze also amplified the claim on Facebook, posting a screenshot of a blogspot article with the caption: “Great Work Senator Akpabio; Wow Be Careful what you post on Social Media. What Are Your Thoughts About This Law.”
VERIFICATION
Checks by our correspondent confirmed that Nigeria has no legislation titled “Cybercrimes Act 2025.”
The country’s cybercrime law remains the “Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024,” which President Bola Tinubu signed into law on February 28, 2024.
The 2024 amendment updated parts of the original Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
It was also gathered that the viral post emerged in early August, during the national assembly’s annual recess.
The senate adjourned on July 23, while the house of representatives went on recess on July 27, with resumption set for September 23 — making it impossible for such a law to have been passed during that period.
Furthermore, the provisions cited in the viral post do not match those contained in the Cybercrimes Act 2024.
VERDICT
The claim that the national assembly has passed a “Cybercrimes Act 2025” is false.
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