The federal government has thrown more light on the case of a Nigerian lady, Ms Dunchi Lar, who was convicted under the United Arab Emirates laws for recording and circulating “offensive” video on social media.
The clarification was given by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, in a statement issued by its Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abuja, Mr. Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
The federal government said under the UAE cyber crime law, taking a video or photograph of someone without his/her consent and posting such on social media is an offence punishable with one year jail term or a fine of between approximately $69,000 and $137,000 or both jail term and fine.
Lar the government said, made and tweeted the viral video of the UAE official at the Airport.
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The government said although Lar was sentenced on the 12th of October, she had 15 days to appeal the judgment.
The Nigerian government assured of its moral and consular support by the Nigeria Mission in Dubai for Lar over the matter.
The statement by NIDCOM reads in full:
“The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) hereby gives more clarification on the case of a Nigerian lady, Ms Dunchi Lar who was convicted under United Arab Emirates laws for recording and circulating “offensive” video on social media.
“Under the UAE cyber crime law, taking a video or photograph of someone without his/her consent and posting such on social media is an offence punishable with one year jail term or a fine of between approximately $69,000 and $137,000 or both jail term and fine.
“Ms Lar made and tweeted the viral video of the UAE official at the Airport.
“This law also applies to eavesdropping, recording, photographing, or disclosing audio or video communication of a person without his/her permission, taking photographs or videos of a dead person or accident victim without such person’s consent.
“She was sentenced on the 12th of October and has 15 days to appeal the judgment.
“Ms Dunchi Lar can still appeal the ruling and has been assured of moral and consular support by the Nigerian Mission in Dubai.”
