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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW| Mysterious Virus Outbreak Leaves Women And Girls ‘Dancing’ Uncontrollably In Uganda |Tap To View The Trending Video Now.In a heated exchange on social media, renowned human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has slammed the Nigerian Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, for his recent comments regarding the legality of raining direct curses on someone online. ...READ THE FULL STORY FROM SOURCE ...READ THE FULL STORY FROM SOURCE
Adejobi had stated in a post that issuing direct curses on another person online constitutes a criminal offence and is punishable by law.
Effiong, known for his outspoken defense of civil liberties, responded sharply, describing Adejobi’s statement as “ignorance of the law raised to power 1000.” He argued that Adejobi’s interpretation of Nigerian law was not only flawed but also dangerously misleading. Effiong explained that while defamation, harassment, or threats made online could indeed attract legal consequences under Nigerian law, the act of simply cursing someone online does not in itself constitute a criminal offence unless it crosses the threshold of threats or harm.
“The law is clear,” Effiong wrote in a post addressing Adejobi. “Freedom of expression is protected, but that freedom comes with responsibility. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW| Mysterious Virus Outbreak Leaves Women And Girls ‘Dancing’ Uncontrollably In Uganda |Tap To View The Trending Video Now.
Cursing someone online is not automatically a criminal act unless there is an element of harm, incitement to violence, or defamation. For a police spokesperson to suggest otherwise is a gross misunderstanding of the law and its application.”
Effiong further pointed out that Adejobi, as a public figure in law enforcement, should be more cautious in his statements to avoid spreading misinformation. He stressed that legal interpretations, especially those made by authorities, should be grounded in actual laws and precedents, rather than personal opinions or misconceptions.
The disagreement quickly gained traction online, with various social media users weighing in on the issue. Some supported Effiong’s stance, arguing that free speech, including harsh language, should not be criminalized unless it explicitly incites harm or violence. Others, however, sided with Adejobi, believing that any form of verbal abuse, even online, should be punishable to curb the rising tide of cyberbullying and online hate.
Despite the online backlash, Adejobi stood by his statement, maintaining that direct curses could be harmful and disruptive to society and should be addressed by law enforcement when necessary. He reiterated that the police would take action against individuals who engage in activities deemed to promote hate speech or cyberbullying, but did not elaborate further on the legal basis for his claim.
Legal experts have since weighed in, with many agreeing with Effiong’s interpretation that cursing someone online, while unpleasant, does not automatically qualify as a criminal act unless it meets certain criteria such as defamation or threats of violence.
As the debate continues to unfold, it has sparked a broader conversation about the limits of free speech in the age of social media and the role of law enforcement in regulating online behavior.WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW| Mysterious Virus Outbreak Leaves Women And Girls ‘Dancing’ Uncontrollably In Uganda |Tap To View The Trending Video Now.
The controversy highlights the need for clearer legal guidelines on how to address online offenses while balancing the right to free expression.Tap to read the full story here.
