An Appraisal of the Legal Regime of Internet Policing in Nigeria

Abstract

The emergence of the internet has created so many opportunities, individuals, governments and business are legally availing themselves of the increasing sophistication and utility of the internet. The waves of this innovation have touched all spheres of human life. In spite all this, the cyberspace which is the creator of the internet has come with a number of challenges. It presents a new frontier for criminology by introducing a new form of deviance, crime and social control. Cyberspace is changing the nature and scope of offending and victimization. The police are powerless in addressing the challenges posed by the emergence of the internet, even though there are frantic efforts and measures taken especially by developed countries to arrest this menace through internet policing. In Nigeria, the situation is entirely different. Therefore, the focal point of this paper will unravel is to examine internet policing with particular reference to Nigeria. The paper will further unravel some of the challenges face via internet policing in Nigeria. The methodology to be adopted is doctrinal. The paper will conclude by making recommendation on how Nigeria will utilize internet policing in tackling crime. DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/120-03 Publication date: April 30 th 2022