CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The advent of information communication technology has so wonderfully impacted on the lives of the people of Nigeria that their traditional ways of doing things have radically changed. It has aided communication, constricted the world into a global village and made possible the globalization of knowledge, collaborative research, crimes and criminology. With the appearance and utilization of internet technologies one knows and views live what happens in other parts of the world-good or bad.

Information transmission becomes precise and instantaneous. Internet is made up of millions of computers linked together around the world in such a way that information can be sent from one computer to any other 24 hours a day (Eyitayo, 2008).

It is one of the fastest ways of reporting research findings to the world. Latest information needed by researchers is often found in the Internet while examinations can be conducted through the Net and results released through the same means (Ezeani, 2010).

Even though Nigeria, vis-à-vis other African countries, entered late into modern communications technology, she was not left out in the present rattle race to get highly hooked to the Net in order to understudy and manipulate its negativity and usefulness. Nigerians immediately got neck deep into the knowledge of computer use, and started imbibing other cultures without considering their relevance to the socio-economic development of their country.

As Internet enhanced cultural diffusion it equally brought in and perfected many crimes. People learned how to deliver information to any part of the world just at the click of a button. They learned to bless and to dupe nations, organizations and individuals using computers.

Today, every city in Nigeria is quite agog with cyber cafes, and home Internet-hooked computers where people go in to interact with friends. Many go in there for academic activities while others go in to perfect themselves in crimes. Cyber cafes are establishments offering internet services through their computers to the general public.

They provide prominent advantages that are quite suitable to fraudsters. These crimes are known as cyber crimes. These are simply crimes committed using computers or committed against computers. Nigerians have so imbibed many of these crimes and perfected in them that their names are making waves globally.

According to Ehime and Bola (2010) and Adeteros (2010) there are so many reports on Nigeria cybercrime situations that well-meaning Nigerian’s are no longer comfortable anymore with these reports that are damaging the dignity of our country as a sovereign nation. They are humiliating and injuriously affecting our international image, our businesses, our mentalities and psyche.

The impact of these on the people of Nigeria both at home and abroad has become so tremendous that there exists the need to critically examine the consequences with a view to proffering solutions. In doing this, this paper will look at the concept of cybercrimes, their types, causes, consequences, solutions and conclusions.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Unlawful act where the computer is a tool, a target or both is an ill-wind that blows nobody or society any good. It is a cankerworm that eats deep unto the socio-political and economic fabrics of any nation. Though its causative factors may be found in idleness and unemployment, the anxiety to learn and the joy of seeing others regret by the culprits cannot be left out

Cybercrime has pulled down many states and led individuals and business organizations to a situation where they exist but are not living; where they are beckoning on death to do its inevitable. Cybercrime has jolted the economy of many states like Nigeria and lays it open to international ridicule and shame. Finally, several researches have been carried out on impact of cyber crime on Nigeria but not even a single research has been carried out on cyber crime in Nigeria.

1. AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim and objectives of the study is to examine cyber crime in Nigeria. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1. to determine the effect of cyber crime in Nigeria.
2. to examine the causative factors of cyber crime in Nigeria.
3. to determine the extent to which cyber crime affects the economy of Nigeria.
4. to proffer possible solutions to the problems.
   1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the effect of cyber crime in Nigeria?
2. What are the causative factors of cyber crime in Nigeria?
3. What is the extent to which cyber crime affects the economy of Nigeria?
4. What are the possible solutions to the problems?
   1. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Ho:  There is no significant effect of cyber crime in Nigeria.

Hi:   There is a significant effect of cyber crime in Nigeria.

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on cyber crime will be of immense benefit to the entire Nigerians in the sense that it will educate them on how to eliminate this bottleneck in the progress of Nigeria; all hands must be on the deck.

It will enable the government, individuals, internet private service providers and corporate bodies to rise to the challenges posed by this monster. In doing this every Nigerian must have to strip off every yoke of affinity, tribe or religion and be able to report any offender to the police for arrest and interrogation.

It will also enable corporate bodies; especially that involved in e-business to come together, pool resources and is able to protect their internet resources and web sites. They can as well explore all the possible avenues to safeguard their e-operations through appropriate mechanisms. Finally, the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge to this field of study and basis for further study.

1.7   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study on cyber crime is limited to Nigeria.

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

Cyber Crime:   Cybercrime is criminal activity that either targets or uses a computer, a computer network or a networked device.