Nigerian law on cybercrime to be repealed or amended

The Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ruled that Nigeria must amend or repeal its law on cybercrime. According to the court, the regulations of freedom of expression in this law are not compliant with Nigeria’s obligations under Article 1 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The ECOWAS Court of Justice agreed with the plaintiff that freedom of expression on the internet or in the use of computer devices was limited/breached by the current regulation of the Nigerian law on cybercrime. Since they allowed for arbitrary interpretation and application, the restrictions imposed on freedom of expression were not reasonably justifiable due to the lack of proportionality and necessity.