A 23-year-old Lagos man is now facing the law after allegedly threatening to release a private video of his former girlfriend — a stark reminder of the growing menace of digital abuse in Nigeria.
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A 23-year-old man, Olasunkanmi Shorunke, was arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after he allegedly threatened to post an intimate video of his ex-girlfriend online.
The case has once again brought the issue of revenge porn and digital blackmail into sharp focus — a problem that is becoming increasingly common across Nigeria as smartphone usage and social media penetration continue to grow.
What Happened?
According to reports, Shorunke allegedly threatened to upload a private and explicit video of his former girlfriend, using it as a tool of intimidation following the end of their relationship. The matter was subsequently reported to law enforcement, leading to his arraignment at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Why This Case Matters for Nigerians
This case is not isolated. Across Nigeria, many women — especially young women — are silently suffering from this form of digital abuse, often too ashamed or afraid to speak up. The threat of having one’s private images or videos shared online without consent is a deeply traumatic experience that can destroy reputations, careers, and mental health.
Experts and advocates have long called for stronger enforcement of laws protecting victims of non-consensual intimate image sharing, commonly referred to as revenge porn.
Nigeria’s Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) and various state-level laws do make provisions against such acts, but awareness and enforcement remain significant challenges.
A Word to the Wise
To every Nigerian reading this — your phone gallery is not a weapon.* Using someone’s private images or videos to threaten, control, or humiliate them is not just morally wrong; it is *a criminal offence that can land you in court, just like Shorunke.
And to victims — you are not alone, and you are not to blame.* There are legal options available to you. Organizations like the **WARIF (Women at Risk International Foundation)** and *Project Alert in Nigeria offer support to survivors of gender-based violence, including digital abuse.
The case continues at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. We will bring you updates as the matter progresses.
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