05/07/2026
There is no legal justification for posting someone online simply because the person is in debt. Owing someone (especially when the debt is in dispute; there are instances where a person may allege that another person is owing him and turns out the creditor is mistaken). Also the law frowns at calling out a person for debt related matters (whether true or not).
Posting or “calling out” a debtor online in Nigeria on Facebook, Instagram, or X (Twitter) may feel like a way to shame someone who refuses to pay, but it actually has serious legal risks, it is defamatory, a breach of their privacy and cyber stalking. There is no difference in this case between a loan shark and a creditor who calls out the debtor. Therefore influencers must be careful not to use their large followings to undue another person.
Using your platform to harass or intimidate a debtor is cyber stalking punishable under section 24 of the cybercrime Act also it breaches the debtor’s right to private and family life (section 37 of the constitution) and also where the debt is untrue or exaggerated, then the perceived creditor may be liable for defamation (libel).
Being lawless won’t take you anywhere, you can recover the said debt through the small claims court or high court (it doesn’t take time). You blame leaders for lawlessness but you are equally lawless.
