It is highly common these days to see people do reels, video clips or live videos in which they rain curses on anyone they have a beef with. When such happens, their social media followers pitch in, sometimes reposting or retweeting, depending on the platform.
To those in that league, the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has warned that raining curses on individuals online constitutes cyberbullying and is a punishable offence.
In a tweet on Friday [today], Adejobi said the act of targeting someone with harsh and abusive language online goes beyond the realm of freedom of expression or criticism.
The FPRO had tweeted via his verified X handle @Princemoye1:
Raining direct curses on someone online is cyberbullying, not expression of freedom or criticism. And cyberbullying, which is even different from defamation, is a criminal offence and punishable. Be guided. pic.twitter.com/LQlM0F4BbC
— Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi (@Princemoye1) December 20, 2024
It may be recalled that and #EndSARS activist, Olamide Thomas, is currently standing trial in an Abuja court after she released a video online in which he allegedly cursed at Seyi, the son of President Bola Tinubu; and some police chiefs.
Media reports allege that Ms. Thomas’ arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday morning, came one week after she was arrested in Lagos State and a day after she slumped in Abuja, where she was transferred.
Nigerians have since been responding to the FPRO’s tweet as follows:
That is not democracy!!! What you have done to that lady is political persecution. There is not one single individual who hasn't cursed online. If i point you to apc supporters who are insulting, can you dare make an arrest?
— King Durotimi Dawodu Of Lagos (@TimiBlaze) December 20, 2024
Officer attention! At ease! Oya na mere words of mouth na, which one be cyber bullying again? 🤭🤭
But I like this your new law, so lemme hold it too. pic.twitter.com/rnf40Gmr3m
— Harry 🎯🎯🎯 (@chiditweets042) December 20, 2024
Mr Ire óoo, you are misleading the public. Kindly cite the section in the constitution to substantiate it. Na your own opinion sha.
— ÓLÀdeyforyou (@trendwithola) December 20, 2024
Nigeria go and study the constitution let nobody tell you what is not true , study the constitution so you can protect your self
— PVC (@geoffreydpr) December 20, 2024
Never ever seen anything like this in my life. Random dude wakes up one morning and decides in his head what is legal or not.
The fact you feel offended from “curses” doesn’t make it a crime, let alone a criminal offence at that.— Aku na etigbu ilo. (@nkponani1) December 20, 2024
That is not democracy!!! What you have done to that lady is political persecution. There is not one single individual who hasn't cursed online. If i point you to apc supporters who are insulting, can you dare make an arrest?
— King Durotimi Dawodu Of Lagos (@TimiBlaze) December 20, 2024
This is more like power intoxication because you wear uniforms. you would curse him or her back simple.
Arresting and putting her in jail is nothing but power drunk. For uncountable time, people have insulted you and curse you in your face, and you did nothing. Just accept that…— Mr Arinze (@iam_arinzona) December 20, 2024
At least, out of respect for the judiciary, please preface your post with “In my opinion …”, ok? 🤣🤣🤣
“In Bakare v. Ishola [1959] W.N.L.R. 106, there was a fight between the plaintiff and the defendant. In the heat of passion, the defendant said in the presence of onlookers,…
— Christopher Ogbonna #getpeacefornneka (@Qriscero) December 20, 2024
Let us even assume it is an offence; are you judge and jury. Why did you bundle a lady to Abuja over a video she did in Lagos. When the people involved can simply go to court and let the court decide who is guilty. let us face it, you are a tyrant. Very soon you would face the…
— Liberate Africa (@DamilojuJLT) December 20, 2024
