A Nigerian lawyer has sparked widespread reactions online after warning that sharing private conversations without permission can attract serious legal consequences.
According to the lawyer, the first person jailed in 2026 was reportedly imprisoned for forwarding a private WhatsApp conversation they had with a friend in 2025.
He explained that individuals do not have the legal right to share private conversations simply because the messages are on their phones.
“You cannot forward or share someone else’s private conversation with a third party without their consent. Just because the conversation is on your phone does not mean you have exclusive rights over it. Every conversation is legally protected,” he said.
The lawyer emphasized that the law goes beyond courtrooms and textbooks, applying to everyday digital interactions across platforms such as WhatsApp, email, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and others.
He noted that forwarding private messages without consent may amount to a violation of privacy and could be classified as unlawful processing of personal data under existing laws.
The legal expert urged Nigerians to be cautious when screenshotting, forwarding, or sharing private chats, warning that unless done for lawful and legally justified reasons, such actions could have real consequences.
His statement has since triggered widespread debate online, with many social media users reassessing their habits of sharing private conversations.
Watch video below…
Published by Ejoh Caleb
