Following repeated calls for signed petitions by Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) asking for cybercrime legislation for Nigeria, we’ve learned that a 20-page bill has been drafted by the National Security Adviser’s office.

In case you don’t know, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) have been partnering with Microsoft Nigeria, Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the World Bank Civil Society Program to implement a social campaign asking for cybercrime legislation for Nigeria.

The bill titled, “A Bill for An Act to Protect Nigeria’s Cyberspace and Provide for the Prevention, Detection, Response and Prosecution of Cybercrimes and Related Matters” seeks to provide for measures for the prevention, prohibition, combating of cybercrimes and threats to the cyberspace and to prescribe punishment for cybercrimes.

According to Part 1 of the Draft Bill, it reads:

The objects and scope of this Act are to:

(a) provide an effective, unified and comprehensive legal framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection, prosecution and punishment of cybercrimes in Nigeria;

(b) enhance cybersecurity and the protection of computer systems and networks, electronic communications; data and computer programs, Intellectual property and privacy rights.

In order to get a firm, yet fair legislation that addresses the cybercrime challenge but does not compromise your rights, PIN is asking you to study the 20-page draft bill and make your own inputs and recommendations to info[at]cybersecurity.gov.ng and copy info[at]pinigeria.org

You can download the 20-page draft of Nigeria’s Cybercrime bill.