CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Crime is a universal phenomenon and differs only in degree among the various nations of the world. The Nigerian crime problem is multidimensional and is capable of undermining its corporate existence as well as efforts towards sustainable development. The Nigeria corporate existence can be undermined by a number of factors among which is an escalating and uncontrolled crime problem Tanimu (2006). Security and crime have been deeply rooted in the political history of this country, particularly in recent time, which has emerged as a key concept in Nigeria’s struggle for good governance, sustainable democracy and development.

Cybercrime is perhaps the most evolving high-technology crime of the twenty-first century world. As the Internet and associated technologies increasingly permeates every aspect of human activities; so do the vulnerabilities to cyber victimization grow. The Internet revolution has created some new patterns of crime hitherto unknown to humanity and also new intriguing patterns of criminal victimization across the world.

Cybercrime issues have become high-profile, especially those that are related to hacking, copyright infringement, child pornography and child grooming (Pitts, 2017). In 2015, two American hackers succeeded in hacking a car at a distance through the mobile phone network.

They took over the functions of the engine and brakes without physical access to the car (Schellekens, 2016). In January 2013, Kaspersky Labs reported a discovery of malware that targeted government information in Eastern Europe, former Soviet republics, and Central Asia (Hiller and Russell, 2013). A recent study that attempted to develop a model of factors associated with health care data breaches found that numerous exposure, security and organization factors are significantly associated with healthcare data breaches (McLeod and Dolezel, 2018).

Apple, Facebook and Twitter had since acknowledged that they were attacked and were taking more steps to secure their networks (Hiller and Russel, 2013). Since 2011, information technology (IT) experts have argued that Android is the first platform after Mircosoft Windows to be specially targeted by cyber criminals (Willems, 2013).

Cyber criminals spread malware or lure victims to sites that contain malware and other scam through malicious advertising or ‘malvertising’ (Mansfield-Devine, 2014). Cyber-espionage has become a high-value trade (Everett, 2009).

Illicit trade has grown on the internet as the deep web hosts darknet marketplaces that sell different kinds of wares such as narcotics and weapons (Chaudhry, 2017). Digital forensics experts believe that a ‘digital explosion’ of ransom ware is imminent in the years to come (Henseler and van Loenhout, 2018).

Cybercrime is undoubtedly a contemporary social problem in Nigeria. While it continues to grow in magnitude and complexity globally, awareness of the dynamics and multi-faceted consequences of cybercrime seems to be abysmally low in Nigeria. This is worrisome, considering the fact that cybercrime by its nature is evolving and that cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated in their operations.

Besides, the number of Nigerians that are connected to broadband Internet keeps growing exponentially. Therefore, this chapter explores the dynamics of the emerging problem of cybercrime in Nigeria. It specifically examines the nature, causes and consequences of cybercrime in Nigeria.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Cyber crime is a term that covers a broad scope of criminal activity using a computer. At an organizational level, cyber crime may involve the hacking of customer databases and theft of intellectual property.

Many users think they can protect themselves, their accounts, and their computers with anti-spyware and antivirus software only. Cyber criminals are becoming more sophisticated and are targeting consumers as well as public and private organizations.

The effects of a single, successful cyber attack can have far reaching implications including financial losses, theft of intellectual property, and loss of consumer confidence and trust. The overall monetary impact of cyber crime on society and Government is estimated to be billions of dollars a year.

Finally, several researches have been carried out on the Nigeria criminal justice system and its effectiveness in criminal behaviour control: a social-psychological analysis but not even a single research has been carried out on criminology investigation of cyberspace congestion in spate of media propaganda: a case study of 2014-2016 Nigeria political propaganda.

1. AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim and objectives of the study is to examine the criminological investigation of cyberspace congestion in spate of media propaganda. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1. to determine the causative factors of cyberspace congestion in spate of media propaganda.
2. to determine the relationship between cyberspace congestion and media propaganda.
3. to determine the extent to which criminological investigation helps to cushion cyberspace congestion in spate of media propaganda.
4. to proffer possible solutions to the problems.
   1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the causative factor of cyberspace congestion in spate of media propaganda?
2. What is the relationship between cyberspace congestion and media propaganda?
3. What is the extent to which criminological investigation helps to cushion cyberspace congestion in spate of media propaganda?
4. What are the possible solutions to the problems?
   1. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Ho:  Criminological investigation of cyberspace congestion has no significant effect on media propaganda.

Hi:   Criminological investigation of cyberspace congestion has a significant effect on media propaganda.

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on the criminological investigation of cyberspace congestion in spate of media propaganda will be of immense benefit in the sense that it will equip the judiciary and law enforcement personnel with suitable computing and investigative forensic tools. It will also enable the government to improving the cooperation of private sector companies (Internet service providers). Finally, the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge to this field of study and basis for further research.

1. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study on criminological investigation of cyberspace congestion in spate of media propaganda is limited to 2014-2016 Nigerian political propaganda.

1. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Time Constraints: One of the challenges experienced by the researcher is the issue of time; the research will simultaneously engage in departmental activities like seminars and attendance to lectures. But the researcher was able to meet up with the deadline for the submission of the project.

Financial Constraints: Every research work needs funding; however lack of adequate funds might affect the speed of the researcher in getting materials for completion of the project.

1. DEFINITION OF TERMS

Criminology:   Criminology is the study of crime and deviant behaviour.

Investigation: The action of investigating something or someone; formal or systematic examination or research.

Cyberspace:    The notional environment in which communication over computer networks occurs.

Congestion:    A situation in which a place is too blocked or crowded, causing difficulties

Spate:      A large number of similar things coming in quick succession.

Media:     The means of communication, as radio and television, newspapers, magazines, and the internet, that reach or influence people

Propaganda:    Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.