NGE decries abuse of cybercrime act, urge politicians to focus on governance

JOS — The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has raised beardown concerns implicit the maltreatment of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act by instrumentality enforcement agencies, informing that specified misuse undermines property freedom, democracy, and the regularisation of law.

In a communiqué issued astatine the extremity of its Standing Committee gathering held connected September 17, 2025, successful Jos, Plateau State, the Guild said it would nary longer tolerate the harassment, intimidation, arrest, and amerciable detention of journalists nether the guise of enforcing the Act.

“The Guild volition usage each ineligible means to guarantee the extortion of the cardinal quality rights of journalists, state of the press, and state of expression,” the statement, signed by NGE President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, work successful part.

The editors called for a thorough reappraisal of the Cybercrime Act, stressing that it should service its archetypal intent of tackling fiscal fraud, individuality theft, and cyberattacks—not silencing journalists.

They besides reminded information agencies that the Ombudsman mechanics acceptable up by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) remains a credible transmission for addressing infractions of the journalism codification of ethics. According to the communiqué, those with complaints against the property should attack the Ombudsman oregon the courts alternatively than turning information agencies into “tools of oppression.”

The Guild, however, urged journalists to uphold professionalism, debar blackmail and defamation, and strictly adhere to the NPO’s Code of Ethics.

Beyond property matters, the NGE expressed interest implicit the behaviour of governmental actors successful some authorities and opposition, faulting them for engaging successful idiosyncratic attacks alternatively of addressing governance and nationalist development. “Careless talks vigor up the polity, incite people, instigate situation and are susceptible of causing breach of bid and information of the nation. This should halt forthwith,” the communiqué warned.

The editors further reminded the 3 tiers of government—federal, state, and local—that their work lies successful addressing the socio-economic wellbeing and information of citizens, not politicking astir aboriginal elections erstwhile existent mandates stay unfulfilled.

On nationalist security, the Guild urged the national authorities and information agencies to intensify efforts against banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, and herder-farmer clashes, saying specified measures would prevention lives, boost nutrient production, and reconstruct assurance among citizens.

The Guild besides expressed appreciation to Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, for hosting the gathering and for his efforts to beforehand bid and inclusivity successful the state.

The station NGE decries maltreatment of cybercrime act, impulse politicians to absorption connected governance appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.