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The advent of social media and the harsh realities of Nigeria’s economic situation have given content creators in the country significant influence.
This shift has clearly boosted the country’s entertainment industry, driving revenue for many individuals. However, some of the content by creators has become worrisome. While it drew public criticism in some situations, in others it led to the arrest of creators who faced consequences for their posts.
For instance, skit maker Abdullahi Adisa risked a 15-year jail term after a June 2023 magistrate court ruling remanded him to Agodi Prison in Iyaganku, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. Abdullahi, popularly called Trinity Guy, had been charged by the police over an allegation of sexualising a minor in his viral prank video. Although this is not entirely a prank, the issue of consent before shooting and uploading the footage with the minor’s parents surfaced.
In another instance, in July 2024, Nigerian authorities arrested a popular prankster, Ubani Zion, also known as ZFancy. The police said his arrest was triggered by the circulation of accusatory videos on social media where he was said to have allegedly committed heinous crimes, including rape. The influencer later addressed the issue, saying the videos were scripted and part of his attempt to regain the spotlight after a break.
Although these pranks serve as a major form of entertainment, there are concerns in some quarters that the fear they instil in unsuspecting individuals being filmed may pose health risks.
On Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, Nigerian content creator @Machigoldpranks posted a video clip on Instagram in which he made people run helter-skelter in fear by convincing them that something dangerous was chasing them.
While Nigerians in the comment section reacted with laughing emojis and excitement, a user @Fresher5225 said, “That old man might be suffering from BP (blood pressure). Be careful, bro.”
As part of DUBAWA’s Media and Information Literacy (MIL) project, this article examines the legal status of prank videos under Nigerian law.
The legal stance
To begin with, we checked whether Nigeria has a specific law that regulates prank videos or skit-making specifically, but found none. However, our research shows that such clips are still regulated by applicable criminal and civil laws in the nation.
Given that most prank videos are recorded without informing the individual(s) in them, we found that Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999) provides for the right to privacy, making such action a breach. Section 39 also grants every citizen the right to freedom of expression.
This means that although the law allows any Nigerian to create content on social media, that content must not violate citizens’ privacy rights.
Additionally, we found that both the Cybercrimes Act (Section 24) and the Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023) treat consent as a very serious issue when it comes to video making, making it clear that content that is defamatory or exposes someone to ridicule, unfair portrayal, hatred, or loss of reputation will lead to legal consequences.
This shows that while prank videos are comedy, unlawful acts committed during the process will not go unpunished under the law. In fact, harmful conduct (including pranks) on social media networks carries a penalty of a 10-year jail term or a N25 million fine under the Cybercrime Act.
Lawyers react
Agreeing with our findings, Lawrence Okwara, a Port Harcourt-based lawyer, said that some prank videos can violate the law when produced improperly.
“Pranks can be criminal and even incur civil liabilities. Under tort law, when nuisance, assault, or negligence arises in such videos, the creator can be sued. When you create a reasonable fear or apprehension in your video, that is unlawful. When you go ahead to cause bodily harm or beat them up, that is criminal,” he said.
Lawrence argued that there is no defence to criminal actions arising from pranks during a video shoot, even if the creator claims the victim consented.
“Consent is very important in making such videos, but even if there is consent and you kill someone or commit arson in the process of a prank, you’ll be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The law elevates unlawful acts to a crime to ensure that you don’t do it, so you have no defence under criminal law,” he added.
Another lawyer, Victor Adegbite, told DUBAWA that there is a thin line between harmful entertainment and comedy in Nigeria.
“No creator of a prankster can hide under harmless entertainment in law if his content creates fear, violates data and privacy protection laws or breaches public peace in the country. An aggrieved person whose right or reputation has been impaired may approach the courts for legal remedies,” he said.
The Lagos-based legal practitioner said the right to privacy is broad, and courts have affirmed its importance in a plethora of cases, including Nwali v Ebonyi State Electoral Commission (2014).
In a ruling on an electoral case, the court upheld Section 37 of the Constitution on citizens’ right to privacy, a decision lawyers say extends to content creation and pranksters, even in public places.
Conclusion
DUBAWA’s research shows that while Nigerian law allows prank videos, such videos must be produced carefully so as not to cause harm or discomfort, directly or indirectly. Lawyers say content creators owe a duty of care to innocent citizens and must obtain consent before any filming.
Thus, any prank video that causes fear, destroys property, disrupts public peace, is defamatory, or is made without the consent of the concerned persons will be subject to legal action.