Applying the Law to Tackle the Menace of Revenge Porn in Nigeria

Applying the Law to Tackle the Menace of Revenge Porn in Nigeria: Lessons from the United Kingdom

Augustine E. Arimoro*

augustine.arimoro1@gmail.com

Abstract

The use of the internet and social media in the modern era is wide spread across the globe. By the mere click of a mouse or the push of a button on computers, mobile phone devices or electronic tablets messages or information could be sent across the entire universe whether as emails, status upload or message broadcast. While the use of the internet and social media platforms has become the in-thing in terms of dissemination of messages and an avenue for keeping in-touch with friends, colleagues and loved ones, these tools have become handy for jilted lovers or blackmailers to cause distress to others in the form of revenge porn. While the UK government has acted swiftly to delineate the crime by passing a new law in April 2015, their Nigerian counterpart is yet to specifically define revenge porn.

This paper argues that the punishment for the crime in the UK is not deterring enough. It also calls on individuals to desist from keeping keeping nude photos or videos. The paper concludes by recommending that Nigeria should learn from the UK and define the crime urgently in order to check the spread of the menace. However, the paper notes that the punishment for revenge porn should not be less than the current prescribed punishment provided for under extant laws in the country.

Key Words:

Revenge Porn; Crime; Internet; Social Media; Deterrence; Punishment

1. Introduction:

With the advent of the internet and the social media, it has become relatively easy to disseminate messages, information, news and pictures (which could be still or moving). The wide reach of the internet globally is such that whichever material is uploaded on it can be viewed or listened to across the entire continents of the world simply by the click of a computer mouse or by the use of devices such as mobile phones...