You and the Law (Serial 6): Defamation and Slander — What the Law Says About Destroying Someone’s Reputation
You and the Law (Serial 6): Defamation and Slander — What the Law Says About Destroying Someone’s Reputation
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
November 4, 2025
Category: You and the Law / Legal Education / Human Rights
In today’s world of fast communication, especially through social media, one careless statement can damage a person’s reputation forever. Nigerians often share information freely — on WhatsApp, Facebook, X (Twitter), or even during casual conversations — without realizing that the law protects reputation just like it protects life and property.
In this edition of You and the Law, we take a closer look at Defamation, Slander, and Libel — what they mean, what the law says about them, and how they can land someone in serious legal trouble.
⚖️ What Is Defamation?
Defamation, in simple terms, means making a false statement about someone that damages their reputation. The law recognizes that every person has a right to dignity and good name, and if anyone makes false statements that injure this right, the victim can sue for damages.
Under Nigerian law, defamation is both a civil wrong (tort) and, in some cases, a criminal offence.
The law divides defamation into two main types:
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Libel – Defamation that is written, printed, published online, or recorded in any permanent form (e.g., a newspaper, blog post, or Facebook post).
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Slander – Defamation that is spoken or verbal, such as false allegations made during conversations, radio discussions, or public speeches.
🏛️ What the Law Says
The Nigerian law on defamation is derived from both common law principles and local statutes such as the Criminal Code (for Southern Nigeria) and the Penal Code (for Northern Nigeria).
Under Section 373 of the Criminal Code Act, a defamatory matter is one that “tends to injure the reputation of any person by exposing him to hatred, contempt, or ridicule.”
Similarly, Section 391 of the Penal Code makes it an offence to “make or publish any imputation concerning a person intending to harm, or knowing that such imputation will harm, the reputation of such person.”
The punishment for criminal defamation under the Criminal Code can be up to two years imprisonment, while civil defamation cases may attract monetary damages running into millions of naira depending on the harm caused.
💬 Examples of Defamation
Here are a few real-life examples (without names) to make it clearer:
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A blogger falsely claims that a businesswoman is involved in fraud — that’s libel.
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A radio presenter says on air that a local politician is “sleeping around for contracts” — that’s slander.
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A Facebook post accuses a pastor of stealing church money without evidence — that’s defamation.
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Even sharing or reposting defamatory content without verifying it can make you liable.
🧭 When Defamation Becomes Legal Trouble
For a statement to be considered defamatory in court, four key conditions must be proven:
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The statement must be false.
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It must refer to the person complaining (the plaintiff).
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It must be published or communicated to a third party.
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It must have caused damage to the person’s reputation.
Once these elements are proved, the court may award compensation and, in some cases, order a public apology or retraction.
🔍 Defenses to Defamation
However, the law also recognizes situations where what appears to be defamation is legally protected. Common defenses include:
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Truth (Justification): If what you said is true, it cannot be defamatory.
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Fair Comment: Honest opinion on a matter of public interest (e.g., a journalist commenting on public officials).
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Privilege: Statements made in Parliament, court proceedings, or police reports may be protected by absolute or qualified privilege.
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Consent: If the person consented to the publication, it is not defamation.
⚠️ Defamation in the Social Media Era
With the rise of social media, defamation has taken on a new form. A simple post, meme, or comment can go viral in minutes — and the damage to reputation can be enormous.
Nigerian courts have ruled in several cases that defamatory posts on Facebook, WhatsApp groups, and blogs amount to libel because they are published materials in a permanent digital form.
Therefore, think before you post or share. Once you hit “send,” you become legally responsible for the content.
💡 Practical Legal Advice
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Don’t publish or share negative information about others unless you have clear, verified evidence.
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Avoid commenting publicly on ongoing court cases or private matters.
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If you are a journalist or blogger, ensure your report is accurate, fair, and balanced.
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If defamed, act quickly: consult a lawyer, preserve evidence (screenshots, recordings), and seek redress in court.
🕊️ Conclusion
Your reputation is one of your most valuable assets — once tarnished, it can take years to rebuild. The law protects every Nigerian’s good name, but it also punishes those who use their words recklessly to destroy others.
As citizens, let’s learn to speak responsibly, verify before sharing, and respect others’ dignity, both offline and online.
Source: Nigerian Criminal Code Act, Penal Code Act, Judicial Precedents
Author: Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Published by: Global Egberi Media International
Tags: You and the Law, Defamation in Nigeria, Slander and Libel, Human Rights, Freedom of Expression, Nigerian Criminal Code, Legal Awareness, Social Media Law
📢 Facebook Caption:
🧑⚖️ YOU AND THE LAW (Serial 6):
One careless statement can destroy a lifetime reputation! 😟
Learn what the law says about Defamation, Slander, and Libel — and how your words (or posts) could land you in court.
📘 Read Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi’s latest legal guide on Global Egberi Media International.
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