The Post That Put Mrs AZ Behind Bars

Mrs AZ wanted attention online. With a few taps, she crafted a sensational post claiming a major bank was “collapsing.” Within hours, panic spread, customers rushed to withdraw funds, and chaos followed. What Mrs AZ thought was a clever trick for likes quickly became a criminal case.

Under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2025, Publishing Fake News (Section 19) is a serious offence. Spreading false, misleading, or deceptive information online, even if you think it’s “just a joke”, is punishable by up to 2 years in prison.

The law reminds us all: words have power, and digital lies can destroy reputations, businesses, and lives. In today’s Nigeria, hitting “share” without verifying can cost you your freedom.

@RMA says... CyberSmart Nigeria: Know the Law, Stay Secure