By Nigeria — Afriktimes has been monitoring cases of defamation of character involving Nigerian citizens across multiple social media platforms.
Our monitoring covers posts, comments, videos, and other forms of online publications where statements about individuals have been made publicly. Some of these statements contain allegations and claims that may fall under defamation as defined by Nigerian law.
Defamation in Nigeria is governed by both civil and criminal statutes. The law recognizes libel, which applies to written or published statements, and slander, which applies to spoken statements. These legal provisions apply to both traditional media and digital communication.
The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015 also provides legal grounds for addressing defamatory content published through electronic and online channels, including social media, blogs, and messaging platforms.
Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees every person the right to freedom of expression. However, the same section allows for laws that protect the rights and reputations of others, which includes defamation laws.
Afriktimes’ monitoring has focused on how online statements are made, shared, and circulated among users, and how these statements may intersect with existing legal provisions.
The findings cover interactions on platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, and other digital spaces where Nigerians regularly communicate and share information.
Afriktimes continues to observe how online speech and legal standards on defamation operate side by side in the country’s digital environment.
