Justice sector leaders have called for a major overhaul of Nigeria’s cybercrime response framework to keep pace with emerging threats driven by artificial intelligence, deepfakes and other advanced digital tools.
The call followed a four-day specialised training held in Lagos for members of the Joint Case Team on Cybercrime (JCTC) and designated Federal High Court judges. The programme brought together over 40 participants, including investigators, prosecutors, analysts and forensic experts, to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to tackle modern digital crimes.
At the end of the training, stakeholders stressed the need for improved digital evidence systems, stronger collaboration among agencies and continuous professional development to match the speed and complexity of evolving cyber threats. They warned that outdated approaches would be ineffective against today’s highly sophisticated cybercriminal networks.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, noted that cybercrime has gone far beyond basic online fraud, now covering AI-driven offences such as deepfakes, voice cloning, ransomware attacks, cryptocurrency-related crimes and identity theft. He emphasised that Nigeria’s response must become more innovative, intelligence-driven and forward-looking.
Oyedepo highlighted the importance of the Joint Case Team on Cybercrime as a unified platform that brings together investigators, prosecutors, regulators and forensic specialists. He added that collaboration is critical, as cybercrime cases often cut across borders and involve multiple jurisdictions.
Participants at the training were equipped with skills to identify digital crime indicators, carry out detailed investigations and strengthen prosecution strategies. Discussions also focused on how to properly collect, preserve and present electronic evidence from devices such as phones and computers.
However, challenges such as inter-agency rivalry and delays in securing international cooperation were identified as major obstacles slowing down effective prosecution. Experts stressed that tackling cybercrime requires trust, coordination and shared responsibility across institutions.
International contributors pointed out that accessing and using electronic evidence quickly remains a global challenge, urging Nigeria to deepen partnerships with foreign governments and digital service providers.
Officials also linked cybercrime to human trafficking, noting that criminals increasingly exploit digital platforms, encrypted communication and social media to carry out illegal activities. Strengthening cybercrime capacity, they said, would also improve Nigeria’s broader fight against trafficking and organised crime.
Overall, stakeholders agreed that only a coordinated, well-funded and technology-driven strategy will enable Nigeria to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital crime landscape.
Source: The Guardian Nigeria
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