Cybercrime perspectives to the ‘ENDSARS’ protest in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Cybercrime investigators, in an attempt to rid Nigeria of cybercrime, go about arresting and demanding for digital devices, of unsuspecting members of the public, especially Nigerian youths. Upon seizing these digital devices, they compel the owners to surrender security features to gain access to the devices to fish for cybercrime evidence. The rampant nature of this investigative process partly culminated in the recent ‘ENDSARS’ protests in Nigeria that commenced in cyberspace with the hashtag #ENDSARS NOW. Although the ENDSARS protest has become a topic of discourse in the news, literature, and academic domain, there seems to be limited or no literature on the cybercrime perspectives of the protests. This paper seeks to answer the question: To what extent can cybercrime investigators legally gain access to digital devices and social networks of persons? It concludes that to avoid future protests against cybercrime investigators, implementing a structured cybercrime investigation process in conformity with best practices, as it is done in developed economies like the United States of America, is suggested.

KEYWORDS:

• Cybercrime
• cybercrime law
• ENDSARS
• cyberspace
• digital devices
• Nigeria

Notes

1 Uwazuruike, ‘#EndSARS: The Movement Against Police Brutality in Nigeria’

2 Ekwunife et al., ‘ENDSARS Protest and Centralized Police System in Nigeria’, 1–10; Okoye et al., ‘The Psychological Implications of #EndSARS Protest in Nigeria’, 20–29; See also Olatunji, et al., ‘For Fourth time in 4 years IGPs ban SARS’

3 Ibid.; Amnesty International, ‘#EndSARS Movement: From Twitter to Nigerian Streets’. See also, The Washington Post, ‘The roots of the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria’

4 Ibid;Uwazuruike, ‘#EndSARS: The Movement Against Police Brutality in Nigeria’

5 Ibid.; Aljazeera ‘Why are Nigerians Protesting’

6 Akande and Shadare, ‘Why Has it Been Difficult to Counteract Cybercrime in Nigeria?’ 30.

7 Ibid.

8 Richards and Eboibi, ‘African Governments and the influence of corruption on the Proliferation of Cybercrime in Africa’, 131.

9 Bande, ‘A Case for Cybercrime Legislation in Malawi’, 93.

10 Ibid., 94.

11 Richards and Eboibi, ‘African Governments and the influence of corruption on the Proliferation of Cybercrime in Africa’, 131.

12 US District Court, Central District of California – CR No.190R00380 FMO Indictment 2019.

13 Premium Times, ‘Full List of 77 Nigerians Charged by FBI for Massive Fraud in America’

14 US District Court, Central District of California 2019.

15 United States District Court, District Court of Oregon, Medford Division 2019.

16 US Department of Justice, US Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon, ‘Nigerian Leader of Nationwide Identity Theft and IRS Tax Fraud Scheme sentenced to Prison’; 1

17 UnIted States District Court for the Central District of California Case No.2:20-mj-02992.

18 United States Department of Justice, ‘Six Indicted in International Scheme to Defraud Qatari School Founder’.

19 Orabueze, ‘Reminiscence on #EndSARS Protests of 2020 in Nigeria’, 1–15; Ojedokun et al., ‘Mass Mobilization For Police Accountability’; Ekwunife et al., ‘ENDSARS Protest and Centralized Police System in Nigeria’, 1–10; Okoye et al., ‘The Psychological Implications of #EndSARS Protest in Nigeria’, 20–29; Uwazuruike, ‘#EndSARS: The Movement Against Police Brutality in Nigeria’; Daly, ‘Nigerians got their abusive SARS Police Force Abolished but elation soon turned to frustration’.

20 Ibid.; Dambo, ‘Nigeria's #EndSARS Movement and its Implication on Online Protests in Africa's Most Populous Country’; BBC News, ‘End Sars: How Nigeria’s Anti-Police Brutality Protests Went Global’

21 Larnyoh, ‘Twitter Unveils Emoji in Support of #EndSars protest’.

22 Uwazuruike, ‘#EndSARS: The Movement Against Police Brutality in Nigeria’.

23 Ekwunife et al., ‘ENDSARS Protest and Centralized Police System in Nigeria’, 1–10.

24 Ibid.; See Ojewale, ‘Youths Protests for Police Reform in Nigeria: What Lies ahead for #EndSARS’.

25 Ibid.; Guardian News, ‘US Report on Lekki Shooting inaccurate-Amnesty International’

26 Ojedokun et al., ‘Mass Mobilization for Police Accountability’ ; See also Vanguard News, ‘#EndSARS: NEC directs Governors to set up Judicial Panels of Enquiry’

27 Ibid.

28 Kabir, ‘#EndSARS: See the States That Have Set up Panels of Inquiry so Far’

29 Ayitogo, ‘#EndSARS: Judicial Panels Receive Over 2500 Petitions against Police Brutality in Nigeria’

30 BBC News, ‘EndSARS Protest: Lagos State Judicial Panel gives 20 million as compensation to victims of police brutality’

31 Vanguard News, ‘EndSARS: Okowa receive Panel’s Report’ .

32 Orabueze, ‘Reminiscence on #EndSARS Protests of 2020 in Nigeria’, 1–15; Ojedokun et al., ‘Mass Mobilization for Police Accountability’; Ekwunife et al., ‘ENDSARS Protest and Centralized Police System in Nigeria’, 1–10, Okoye et al., ‘The Psychological Implications of #EndSARS Protest in Nigeria’, 20–29; Uwazuruike, ‘#EndSARS: The Movement Against Police Brutality in Nigeria’; Daly, ‘Nigerians got their Abusive SARS Police Force Abolished but Elation Soon Turned to Frustration’.

33 Richards and Eboibi, ‘African Governments and the Influence of Corruption on the Proliferation of Cybercrime in Africa’,146; Ruppel and Arowobusoye, ‘Endsars: How Social Media Challenges Governance-the case of Nigeria’.

34 Amnesty International, ‘Tortutre and other Ill Treatment by Nigeria’s Special Anti – Robbery Squad (SARS)’

35 Eboibi, ‘A review of the legal and regulatory frameworks of Nigerian Cybercrimes Act 2015’, 700–17; Eboibi, ‘Cybercriminals and Coronavirus Cybercrimes in Nigeria, the United States of America and the United Kingdom’, 133–40.

36 Ibid.

37 Ibid.

38 Ibid.

39 Ibid.

40 Ibid., Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015, s.58

41 Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015, s.41(3).

42 Eboibi et al., ‘Chapter 4 – A Critical Examination of Cybercrime Investigation Agency under the Nigerian Cybercrimes Act’, 66–74.

43 Mohammed et al., ‘Cybercrime and Digital Forensics’, 56,63.

44 Oraegbunam, ‘The Nigeria Police and Problems of Cybercrime Investigation’, 19–22.

45 See Vanguard News, ‘US Court orders Arrest of DCP Abba Kyari as Hushpuppi Fingers Him’.

46 Artcle 19 on the Right to Protest: Principles on the Protection of Human Rights in Protests.

47 (2008) 12 WRN 65; Uwandu, ‘Right to protest: A fundamental Human Rights’ The Guardian, 24 November 2020.

48 Ekwunife et al., ‘ENDSARS Protest and Centralized Police System in Nigeria’, 5.

49 Adediran, I. ‘EndSARS White Paper: Lagos Govt. says no massacre at Lekki tollgate’ Premium Times 2021. . https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/498239 (accessed August 23, 2022).

50 Ekwunife et al., ‘ENDSARS Protest and Centralized Police System in Nigeria’, 5.

51 Iwuoha and Aniche, ‘Protest and Blood on the Streets’.

52 Etim et al., ‘Protest Policing Strategy and Human Rights’, 226.

53 Richards and Eboibi, ‘African Governments and the Influence of Corruption on the Proliferation of Cybercrime in Africa’, 146.

54 Ibid.

55 Ibid.

56 Ibid.

57 Ibid.

58 EFCC, ‘EFCC Storms ‘Yahoo-Boys’ Party In Osogbo, Arrests 94 Suspects’; Adepegba and Bamigbola, ‘EFCC knocked over arrest of 94 Osun night clubbers’;’

59 State Security Service & Ors. vs. Incorporated Trustees of The Peace Corps of Nigeria & Ors (2019) LPELR-47274(CA) – Per MBABA, J.C.A. (Pp. 19-23, Paras. F-E); Elephant Group Plc vs. National Security Adviser & Anor.(2018) LPELR-45528(CA) – Per GEORGEWILL, J.C.A. (Pp. 82-84, Paras. E-D); Mr Anthony Okolie v. The Director General, State Security Service & 2 Ors.

60 Mr Anthony Okolie v. The Director General, State Security Service & 2 Ors Suit No: FHC/ASB/CS/3/2020 – Judgment delivered by Hon. Justice(Dr) Nnamdi O. Dimgba, Judge of the Federal High Court, Asaba Judicial Division on 14 May 2020(Unreported), 33–34.

61 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) – CFRN, s.37.

62 Govender, ‘A Critical Analysis of the Search and Seizure of Electronic Evidence Relating to the Investigation Of Cybercrime in South Africa’, 22–23.

63 Guarantee Trust Bank Plc vs. Odeyemi Oluyinka Joshua (2021) LPELR-53173(CA) at 7–22; Arogundade vs. Skye Bank (2020) LPELR-52304(CA) at 32–36; Ofoegbu, ‘Evidence of Allegation of Financial Fraud or Crime, Not Sufficient To Freeze Customers Bank Account’

64 Ibid.

65 Ibid.

66 Ibid.

67 Ibid.

68 Ibid.

69 Eboibi et.al., ‘Chapter 4 – A Critical Examination of Cybercrime Investigation Agency under the Nigerian Cybercrimes Act 2015’, 66–74.

70 Eboibi, ‘Concerns of Cyber Criminality in South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia and Nigeria’, 90.

71 United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Case No 4:19mj, Filed 2 August 2019; US Department of Justice(DOJ), U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia, ‘Nigerian Businessman Pleads Guilty to $11 Million Fraud Scheme’; US DOJ, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia ‘Nigerian National Sentenced to Prison for $11 Million Global Fraud Scheme’.

72 United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 2:21-mj-00760-DUTY, filed 12 February 2021; US Department of Justice(DOJ), U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, ‘Six Indicted in International Scheme to Defraud Qatari School Founder and then Launder over $1 Million in Illicit Proceeds’

73 Ward, ‘Affidavit in Support of Criminal Complaint and Arrest Warrant’.

74 Ibid.

75 Innocenti, ‘United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 2:21-mj-00760-DUTY, filed 12 February 2021, Criminal Complaint By Telephone Or Other Reliable Electronic Means. See also Innocenti, ‘United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 2:20-mj-029921, Criminal Complaint By Telephone Or Other Reliable Electronic Means’,

76 Ward, ‘Affidavit in Support of Criminal Complaint and Arrest Warrant’.

77 United States of America vs. Obinwanne Okeke.

78 United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Case No 4:19mj116, Filed 2 August 2019; US Department of Justice(DOJ), U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia, ‘Nigerian Businessman Pleads Guilty to $11 Million Fraud Scheme’; US DOJ, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia ‘Nigerian National Sentenced to Prison for $11 Million Global Fraud Scheme’.

79 United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 2:21-mj-00760-DUTY, filed 12 February 2021; US Department of Justice(DOJ), U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, ‘Six Indicted in International Scheme to Defraud Qatari School Founder and then Launder over $1 Million in Illicit Proceeds’.

80 US Constitution, Fourth Amendment.

81 454 F. Supp. 2d 999, 1001 (C.D. Cal. 2006) in Stillwagon, 'Bringing an End to Warrantless Cell Phone Searches', 1185.

82 Ibid., 1000.

83 Ibid., 1007.

84 Eboibi and Mac-Barango, ‘Law and Judicial Application of Digital Forensic Evidence in Nigeria’, 65–66.

85 Unreported, Suit No: LD/2516C/16. Judgment delivered by Hon. Justice R.I.B Adebiyi of the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division, Holden at Ikeja on 30 April 2018.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Newman U. Richards

Dr. Newman U. Richards, holds PhD, LLM and LLB degrees from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria and the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria, respectively. He is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria where he teaches Tax Law.

Felix E. Eboibi

Dr. Felix E. Eboibi holds PhD, LL.M & LL.B degrees from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria and the University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria, respectively. He is an Associate Professor of Cybercrime Law, Faculty of Law, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, where he teaches Cybercrime Law and Computer Law.