The money-laundering and fraud case against Chinese national Kong Ling at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, took an unexpected twist after the police added cybercrime charges over WhatsApp messages he allegedly sent to his business associate after a mining project deal fell through.

In a nine-count charge filed on October 14, 2025, prosecutors accused Mr Ling and others of fraud amounting to $1,024,487.22, conspiracy to obtain money under false pretences, money laundering, misappropriation of funds, and cybercrime.

The police alleged that Mr Ling, 42, sent defamatory WhatsApp messages to Darcy Kai Sun, wherein he stated, “A dog can’t stop eating sh*t” and “F*ck you repeatedly.”

Citing Section 24 (2) (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention), Amended Act 2024, prosecutors deemed the messages “grossly offensive or menacing” and accused the contractor of cybercrime offences.

“That you Kong Ling ‘M’ 42 years of No. 1671, Hamza Abdullahi Close, Asokoro, Abuja, sometime in 2024 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did knowingly and intentionally send defamatory messages or other matter, to wit, ‘A dog can’t stop eating sh*t,’ through your WhatsApp page by means of computer or network that is grossly offensive or menacing in character and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (2) (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention) ETC Amended Act 2024 and punishable under the same section of the act,” count eight read.

For count nine, prosecutors alleged that Mr Ling, “within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did knowingly and intentionally send defamatory messages or other matter, to wit ‘F*ck you repeatedly,’ through your WhatsApp page by means of a computer or network that is grossly offensive or menacing in character and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (2) (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc. Amended) Act 2024 and punishable under same section of the act.”

The inclusion of the cybercrime charges over private messages underscores the alleged use of Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act by law enforcement agencies against social media users, journalists, activists, and critics.

Since its amendment in February 2024, there have been repeated calls for its review by rights organisations, civil society groups, includingthe Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and the international community over concerns that the act is being used to silence critics and dissent.

In 2025, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) raised concerns that the act had “potential for abuse, particularly with respect toarrests and prosecutions of activists, journalists, bloggers, and ordinary social media users.”

The U.S. embassy in Nigeria had also cited the case of Dele Farotimi and noted “growing evidence” that the act was being misused to suppress free speech and press freedom. 

It warned that this “undermines democratic advancement and civic participation” and might affect investor confidence.

In January 2025, the police filed charges against human rights activist Omoyele Soworefollowing a social media post calling a former police chief Kayode Egbetokun an “illegal” IGP.

The police said Mr Sowore’s X post violated section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime Act.

In a similar case, criminal charges were filed against investigative journalist Oghenedoro Tega, popularly known as Fejiro Oliver, by the Delta Police Command for allegedly “cyberstalking” Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ede Dafinone.

The charge sheet, dated October 3, 2025, and signed by R.O. Eze, legal officer, Directorate of Legal Services, Delta State Police Command, alleged that the posts violated Section 24(1)(b) of the Act.

Earlier this month, three suspects were arrested for allegedly circulating false claims on social media that the chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, had divorced his wife, Awele.