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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ebonyi State, Ben Odoh, has warned youths in the state against social media misuse to avoid landing into trouble.
Odoh said many youths were languishing in correctional facilities in the state because of social media misuse and urged the youths to refrain from it.
He called for sustained public enlightenment to protect youths from the legal dangers associated with misuse of social media.
Odoh made the call during a youth summit in the State, organised by a youth group, FON Movement clamouring for the re-election of Governor Francis Nwifuru.
He spoke extensively on cybercrime, defamation, and the legal implications of online activities during the event.
According to him, ignorance of the law has continued to push many young people into avoidable legal trouble.
“One thing is inevitable: we cannot just assume so many things. Public mass awareness is very important and very key to understanding the true status of Ebonyi State,” he said.
He explained that his decision to honour the invitation was driven by the need to educate young people on emerging legal trends, especially as they relate to digital behaviour.
“Most of our youths are languishing in prison because, as the Bible says, my people perish for lack of knowledge. They do not understand the implications of their actions,” he noted.
He narrated a case involving a suspected internet fraudster who conducted an online giveaway, leading to the arrest of beneficiaries who unknowingly received proceeds of fraud.
“When the so-called yahoo boy was arrested, everyone who received that ₦20,000 giveaway was also arrested and charged as accomplices. They did not ask: where is this money coming from? What service did we render?” he explained.
The Commissioner cautioned youths against accepting online giveaways without verifying their source, warning that such actions could have serious legal consequences.
He further highlighted existing laws such as the Cybercrimes Act, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, and provisions of the Criminal and Penal Codes, all of which criminalize cyberbullying, hate speech, defamation, and character assassination.
Social media can make you or mar you. It can promote you or destroy you. As you use it to make ends meet, be careful,” he advised.
