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The Senate has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital regulatory framework by advancing a bill that would require global social media platforms and other major data-driven technology companies operating in the country to establish physical offices within Nigeria.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (Delta North), was the subject of a public hearing organised on Thursday by the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security. The bill seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, by mandating social media platforms, data controllers and data processors operating in Nigeria to maintain operational offices within the country’s territorial boundaries.

Speaking during the hearing, Senator Nwoko said the bill is aimed at reinforcing Nigeria’s digital sovereignty, improving regulatory oversight, enhancing national security, protecting consumers and ensuring multinational technology companies become more accountable to Nigerian laws.

According to him, Nigeria, with over 220 million people and one of the world’s largest populations of social media users, contributes enormous economic value to global technology companies but receives limited institutional benefits because many of them have no physical presence in the country.

“Today, we are not considering an ordinary bill. We are considering the future of Nigeria’s digital sovereignty, economic interests, national security and the rights of over 200 million Nigerians who interact daily with some of the world’s largest technology companies,” Nwoko said.

He noted that millions of Nigerians rely on platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat for communication, commerce, education and civic engagement, yet the companies continue to operate in Nigeria without maintaining local offices.

Under the proposed amendment, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission would be empowered to compel affected companies to establish physical offices in Nigeria. Any company that fails to comply within 30 days of notification could face prohibition from conducting operations within the country.

The bill also introduces clearer legal definitions for terms such as “Data Controllers,” “Data Processors,” “Operators of Social Media Platforms,” “Physical Office,” and “Social Media Platforms” to facilitate effective implementation.

Defending the proposal, Senator Nwoko argued that the absence of local offices has delayed the resolution of consumer complaints, weakened regulatory engagement, limited enforcement of Nigeria’s data protection laws and deprived Nigerians of employment and technology transfer opportunities.

He stressed that the bill is not intended to stifle innovation or discourage investment but to encourage technology companies to become responsible corporate citizens by making long-term investments in Nigeria.

Drawing comparisons with countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates, Nwoko noted that global technology companies have established regional headquarters, engineering centres, legal compliance offices and customer support hubs in those countries, creating thousands of jobs while strengthening regulatory collaboration.

He questioned why Africa’s largest digital market should continue to operate without enjoying similar benefits.

The senator also argued that local offices would enhance national security by providing direct institutional channels for cooperation between technology companies and Nigerian authorities during criminal investigations. He cited recent cases where criminal elements allegedly exploited social media platforms during unlawful activities, saying faster engagement with platform operators could improve law enforcement responses.

Beyond security, he said the proposed law would improve protection of Nigerians’ personal data, strengthen consumer complaint resolution, enhance tax compliance and promote greater transparency in digital business operations.

Nwoko further stated that establishing local offices could create thousands of employment opportunities for Nigerian professionals in software engineering, customer support, legal compliance, public policy, content moderation and other technology-related fields, while encouraging collaboration between global firms, local universities and startups.

He called on government agencies, civil society organisations, technology companies, industry experts and other stakeholders to make constructive contributions during the legislative process to ensure the bill reflects Nigeria’s long-term digital and economic interests.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaibu Afolabi Salisu, assured participants that all memoranda and submissions received during the public hearing would be thoroughly reviewed before the committee present its recommendations to the Senate for further legislative action.

The bill received broad support from participants at the public hearing and now awaiting the committee’s consideration of submissions from stakeholders before progressing to the next stage of the legislative process.

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The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee has elevated 68 legal practitioners to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, with the appointees listed according to their seniority at the Bar.

The decision was reached during the LPPC 174th plenary session held on Thursday in Abuja, with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, presiding.

The development was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Akan.

The newly elevated advocates include:

Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Esq.

Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor, Esq.

Godwill Achibong Umoh, Esq.

Sunday Samuel Obende, Esq.

Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe, Esq.

Jimson Ejovi Okodaso, Esq.

Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John, Esq.

Olaotan Thomas Olusegun, Esq.

Philemeon Audu Daffi, Esq.

Adenrele David Adegborioye, Esq.

James Eromosele Agbonhese, Esq.

Alexander Nduka Muoka, Esq.

Onome Okodiya, Esq.

Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye, Esq.

Ikhide Ehighelua, Esq.

Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe, Esq.

Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun, Esq.

Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi, Esq.

Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed, Esq.

Odion Peter Odia, Esq.

Gbemiga Adaramola, Esq.

Moses Okoh Onyilokwu, Esq.

Charles Azubuike Obodozie, Esq.

Hakeem Obafemi Agaba, Esq.

Bimbo Felix Atilola, Esq.

Okechukwu Steve Emelieze, Esq.

Joshua Demilade Olaniyan, Esq.

Igonikon Abiola Adekunle, Esq.

Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie, Esq.

Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno, Esq.

Sarafa Kolawole Idowu, Esq.

Olujoke Enitan Aliu, Esq.

Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie, Esq.

Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi, Esq.

Faruk Abdullah, Esq.

Sagir Gezawa Suleiman, Esq.

Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko, Esq.

Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe, Esq.

Sabiu Gumba Adamu, Esq.

Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare, Esq.

Soibi Ideriah Ovia, Esq.

Somina Peter Johnbull, Esq.

Chinedum Ikenna Umeche, Esq.

Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe, Esq.

Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff, Esq.

Junaidu Bello Marshall, Esq.

Olawale Sunday Fapohunda, Esq.

Adebiyi Alaba Adetoboye, Esq.

Senior Sulyman Ibrahim, Esq.

Agba Eimunjeze, Esq.

Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande, Esq.

Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi, Esq.

Olamide Moigbotoluwa Adekunle, Esq.

Umaru Yunusa, Esq.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal, Esq.

Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba, Esq.

Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu, Esq.

Kayode Orire Omosehin, Esq.

Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala, Esq.

Bolu Agbaje Akadri, Esq.

Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao, Esq.

Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala, Esq.

Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja, Esq.

Afees Hassan Adebayo, Esq.

Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun, Esq.

Jonathan Akintola Makinde, Esq.

Olajide Salami, Esq.

Source: The Punch

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A United States pastor, Dale Sanders, has been convicted of stealing more than $340,000 from two churches in Louisiana to fund his gambling habits and other personal expenses.

A jury found the 56-year-old guilty on 25 counts of wire fraud, access device fraud and obstruction of a federal investigation after a five-day trial before US District Judge Brandon Long.

The conviction was announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana in a statement obtained from the website of the US Department of Justice.

According to prosecutors, Sanders “defrauded Church A and Church B in order to obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretences, representations and promises.”

The statement read: “SANDERS would withdraw funds and transfer money held in Church A’s bank accounts to accounts controlled by SANDERS. The money was used to fund his personal expenditures, to include gambling, dining, and living expenses.”

It added that Sanders “utilised Church A’s debit card for unauthorised personal transactions and received cash, goods and services totalling over $340,000 that he was not entitled to.”

Sanders was also found guilty of obstruction of a federal investigation for providing a falsified record in response to a grand jury subpoena.

Judge Brandon S. Long has scheduled Sanders’ sentencing for October 13, 2026.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, Sanders faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or the greater of twice the gross gain or twice the gross loss, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee for each count.

US Attorney David I. Courcelle praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Orleans Field Office for investigating the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn McHugh and Tracey Knight of the Financial Crimes Unit handled the prosecution.