By Ebere Agozie
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has warned individuals involved in cybercrimes to desist from it or face punishment.
Fagbemi gave the warning at the annual Cybercrimes Awareness Campaign and second National Consultations on the Cybercrimes Legal Framework in Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.
The two-day event which kicked off with an awareness walk had the theme “Towards a Coordinated and informed National Response for Cybercrime.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister was represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the ministry, Abubakar Babadoko.
He said the walk was the ministry’s way of saying ‘enough of scams, sextortion, identity theft, and cyberbullying’, `Enough of destroying futures through greed and deceit’.
“Cybercrime is a crime not a hustle. Every online scam, impersonation, or hacking incident is punishable under the Cybercrimes Acts. The digital space is not lawless: it is governed by justice.
“Every Nigerian has a role to play. Parents, teachers, business owners, and young people must learn to protect their data, report suspicious activity, and use technology responsibly.
“The youth must be digital builders, not digital predators. Nigeria’s youth are some of the brightest and most innovative in the world. Let us channel that creativity into solutions, startups, and innovations not cybercrime’’, he said.
He reiterated that the awareness walk was not just symbolic; but a movement of conscience and responsibility.
“We walk to raise awareness, to educate our communities, and to remind every Nigerian that cybercrime affects us, our economy, our national security and our daily lives.
“We walk to inspire vigilance, integrity, and safe digital practice in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.
“As prosecutors and law enforcement officers, we see first-hand the pain cybercrime inflicts on victims defrauded of their life savings.
“And also the effect on our young people lured into illegal online acts, as well as on families whose trust has been shattered”.
He warned that law is evolving and enforcement is stronger than ever. With the ongoing review of the cybercrimes Acts, persecution will be faster, coordination tighter, and penalties stiffer.
“The message is clear: cybercrime will not go unpunished.
“The fight against cybercrime requires teamwork between government, the private sector, academia, and the public. Together, we can secure Nigeria’s cyberspace.
“As we walk through the streets this today, let our banners, our chants, and our presence speak loudly and clearly: Don’t Fall Victim – Don’t Perpertrate,’’ he stressed.
He urged Nigerians to secure their world and stop cybercrime.
“Think before you click, our digital footprint matters, we are in this together for a safe cyberspace. Let’s engage the public with smiles and simple messages they can remember.
“Every conversation today could save someone from becoming a victim or prevent a young person from becoming on offender. When we return to our offices, our schools, our homes, let’s continue spreading this message’’.
Other stakeholders present at the walk include the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) amongst others.
