The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has clarified that cursing individuals online is considered a criminal offense under the law. In a post on X.com on Friday, Adejobi stated that such actions constitute cyberbullying and cannot be defended as freedom of expression or constructive criticism.
He wrote: “Raining direct curses on someone online is cyber bullying, not expression of freedom or criticism.
“And cyberbullying, which is even different from defamation, is a criminal offence and punishable. Be guided.”
Questioning Adejobi’s post on X, a tweep said, “@felabayomi: When does raining curses become a crime? I look forward to the day someone will challenge these laws they are using to take away people’s human rights in the Supreme Court. Late Gani Fawehinmi would have challenged that law by now.”
@DistinctFOJ contested, “Olumuyiwa, assuming your narrative is valid, and Section 1(3) of the CFRN state that if any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution, this constitution shall prevail.
Freedom of expression is non-negotiable. Raining curses is Constitutional.”
@omoopee_ agreed with the FPRO: “You are absolutely right, sir. Raining curses and engaging in cyberbullying is not freedom of expression but an act of harm. We must all learn to express ourselves responsibly. That said, sir, please, you have yet to respond to my question.”