Men in Viral Video Smoking Weed on Police Vehicle Charged With Cybercrime, Remanded in Sapele Prison

The young men captured in a viral video smoking cannabis atop a Nigerian police vehicle have now been formally charged with cybercrime, sparking widespread confusion and outrage over the nature of the charges.

The incident, which gained national attention earlier this month, showed a group of men brazenly smoking marijuana on the bonnet of a police patrol van, laughing and filming themselves while a friend recorded the scene and shared it online. The footage sparked public condemnation, with many questioning how such an act of lawlessness could occur right on a police vehicle.

Arrest and Charges

Shortly after the video went viral, the Delta State Police Command tracked and arrested the suspects. But in a twist that has drawn scrutiny, they have now been arraigned on charges related to cybercrime, not drug use or public misconduct — the acts they were originally filmed engaging in.

The precise nature of the cybercrime charge remains unclear as court documents have not been made public. However, police sources suggest the distribution of the video online and its perceived ridicule of law enforcement may have influenced the choice of legal classification.

Remanded in Sapele Prison

The suspects were remanded in Sapele Correctional Centre pending further hearings. Their legal counsel has reportedly requested bail and demanded a review of the charges, arguing that the case is being politicized and mischaracterized.

> “This is a clear case of public misconduct and drug-related behavior. How cybercrime became the official charge is puzzling, if not entirely misplaced,” a Lagos-based human rights lawyer told Vice Reports.

Public Reactions

Social media has exploded with criticism, with many Nigerians accusing authorities of using ambiguous laws to suppress behavior they deem embarrassing, rather than sticking to lawful, transparent charges.

> “The men were wrong, no doubt. But charging them with cybercrime is just the system flexing muscle in the wrong direction,” wrote one X user.

“You can’t rebrand embarrassment as a felony,” another said.

What’s Next?

Legal experts say the case may become a flashpoint for debates around Nigeria’s cybercrime laws, especially their use in non-digital offenses. A hearing is expected to resume within the next two weeks at a Magistrates’ Court in Delta State.