ANALYSIS OF THE LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR FIGHTING CYBERCRIME IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The internet has become an integral part of life today. Its role to economic development and communications cannot be overemphasized. It can be said that the World is now capable of doing a lot of things which were unimaginable decades ago. The internet is fast becoming a way of life for millions of people and also a way of living because of growing dependence and reliance on the machines. Internet has made life easier to mankind with just a click on a computing devise one can get what they want from the internet anytime and anywhere irrespective of geographical boundaries. With all the benefits accruing to the use of the internet, the emergence of cybercrime has brought serious threats to people and States. There have been a lot of efforts made by Nigerian governments, police departments and intelligence units against the threat caused by cybercrime. In a concerted effort to fight cybercrime, the Nigerian government enacted the 2015 Cybercrime Act. This article will attempt to analyse the legal and institutional framework for cyber-crime in Nigeria while revealing the challenges faced by the regulatory agencies in the fight against cybercrime. It is expedient to also know that the article adopted the doctrinal method of research through legal preposition, doctrines, laws and legal concept of research. The work recommends that the information technology professionals will find it very helpful if involved at the investigation level as consultants to law enforcement agencies. By way of conclusion, the need to set up an independent regulatory body with the sole responsibility of controlling cybercrime in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized.