TikTok User Sentenced to 3 Years Imprisonment for Cyberstalking

In a recent ruling, Nwakaego Okoye, a female TikTok user, has been sentenced to three years in prison for cyberstalking Nollywood actress Eniola Badmus.

The verdict was delivered by Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday.

Nwakaego Okoye was found guilty after pleading guilty to a two-count charge of cyberstalking.

However, in light of the convict’s remorse, Justice Oweibo provided an option of paying a fine of N150,000 instead of serving the jail term.

The charges against Okoye and her accomplice, Chimabia (now at large), revealed that they conspired to commit the offence of cyberstalking between December 2022 and July 2023 in Lagos. This act was in violation of Sections 24(1)(b)(2)(a)(c) and 27 of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.

The incident came to light when Okoye made defamatory statements against Eniola Badmus, leading to her arrest. During the investigation, Okoye confessed that she defamed the actress after being promised N200,000 by her friend, Fortune Ibe. She stated that her desperate need for money, particularly for her house rent, pushed her to act in such a manner.

In a video clip, Okoye apologized for her actions and expressed remorse for her desperate decision. She revealed that the motivation behind the video was solely financial, and she deeply regretted her actions.

Meanwhile, despite pleas to settle the matter outside the court, Eniola Badmus remained steadfast in her decision to press charges against Okoye for damaging her hard-earned reputation.

This case serves as a cautionary tale against engaging in cyberstalking and defamatory behavior on social media platforms. It underscores the importance of responsible online behavior and the legal consequences that await those who attempt to tarnish the reputation of others through cybercrimes.