The Hidden Recorder That Cost Mrs. AZ Her Freedom

Mrs. AZ thought it was harmless. During a heated office meeting, she secretly hit “record” on her phone to capture every word. She planned to use the audio later as evidence in a workplace dispute. But what she didn’t realise was that the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2025 strictly forbids this.

Under Recording Private Conversations (Section 10), recording private discussions without proper authorisation, even if you are part of the conversation, is a criminal offence. The law sees it as a violation of trust and privacy, and it now carries a penalty of up to 2 years in prison.

Mrs. AZ’s “evidence” ended up costing her more than she expected. The Act reminds us all: in Nigeria, privacy matters. Always think before pressing that record button.

@RMA says…CyberSmart Nigeria: Know the Law, Stay Secure