NGE warns against Cybercrime Act abuse, urges politicians to focus on hovernance

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has raised the alarm over the continued abuse of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act by security agencies, warning that journalists will no longer tolerate intimidation, harassment, or illegal detention.

The warning came at the conclusion of the NGE Standing Committee meeting held on September 17, 2025, in Jos, Plateau State.

This was contained in a statement signed by Eze Anaba, President, and Onuoha Ukeh, General Secretary of NGE, following robust deliberations on issues affecting the media, governance, and society.

The statement reads partly:”Strongly condemns the abuse of the Cybercrime Act by law enforcement agents, particularly the police, to harass, intimidate, arrest and illegally detain journalists who are exercising their rights to freedom of the press and thereby undermining democracy and the rule of law. The Guild will no longer tolerate this abuse and will use all legal means to ensure the protection of the fundamental human rights of journalists, freedom of the press and freedom of expression.

“Calls for a thorough review of the Cybercrime Act and its use for its original intention, which is to fight cybercrime in relation to financial fraud, identity theft and attacks on computer systems, among others.”

“Reminds security agencies that the Ombudsman process instituted by the Nigerian Press Organisation is capable of addressing infractions to the Code of Journalism Ethics as has been proven in the past. Security agencies should respect this process by encouraging those who write petitions and making them the arbiter to approach the Ombudsman or seek legal redress instead of making security agencies a tool of oppression, intimidation and harassment.”

“Calls on journalists to do their job with high level of professionalism by adhering to the Code of Ethics approved by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) and not to engage in any form of blackmail, and defamation whatsoever.”

The statement also expressed concern about the “increasing excesses of political actors, both in government and the opposition,” urging them to prioritise national issues rather than engage in personal attacks and name-calling. The NGE warned that careless political rhetoric risks inciting crises and threatening national security.

The guild reminded the three tiers of government — federal, state, and local — that the primary responsibility of governance is to address citizens’ socio-economic welfare and security, cautioning against prioritising future elections over the fulfillment of existing social contracts.

In addition, the NGE urged federal and state security agencies to take more proactive measures against banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, herder-farmer clashes, and other criminal activities, highlighting the need to safeguard lives, boost food security, and create a safer environment for all Nigerians.