Muhuyi Rimingado, the past Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, is calling on the Nigerian government to make stronger laws to fight against the growing issue of fake news and misinformation.
In a recent interview in Abuja, Rimingado, a legal expert, stated that Nigeria has established laws to address the dissemination of false information; however, these laws may not effectively address the challenges posed by fake news in the current digital landscape.
However, he emphasized that there is a lack of specific laws that focus on fake news as a separate issue, especially when it comes to social media and online communication. With the growth of platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, he believes that new laws are needed to deal with these modern challenges.
Rimingado thinks that future laws should not only target people who spread fake news but also hold companies accountable for the content shared on their platforms. “We need laws that specifically focus on fake news. It’s important that these companies take responsibility when their platforms are used to spread harmful misinformation, including by issuing apologies when necessary,” he concluded.
Magaji noted that while the Cybercrimes Act and other related laws attempt to deal with online offences, including cyberbullying and terrorism-related activities, they do not comprehensively cover the broader problem of fake news.
He warned that the abuse of freedom of expression without legal consequences could encourage people to attack others and circulate misleading information.
“It is only when we have robust legal instruments and regulators who are ready to enforce the laws without compromise that people will understand the consequences of spreading false information.
“The law should balance the right to freedom of expression with the need to protect individuals and society from harmful misinformation,” he added.
He pointed out that existing cybercrime provisions prescribe penalties, including up to seven years imprisonment or a fine of N7 million for certain offences connected with the misuse of digital platforms.
Magaji also expressed concern over the rapid expansion of information technology without adequate safeguards to manage emerging security risks.
According to him, Nigeria embraced global information technology and internet-based communication without putting in place sufficient mechanisms to counter the associated dangers.
He observed that criminal activities, including kidnapping for ransom, had increasingly relied on digital communication channels.
“The state has not fully adapted to the realities of the digital world. We need stronger mechanisms to respond to these challenges.
“There should be dedicated cybercrime sections in every security agency to effectively tackle technology driven crimes and the spread of fake news,” he said.
The activist stressed that strengthening the legal framework and improving enforcement would help protect public trust, discourage misinformation and promote responsible use of digital platforms.
(NAN)