News
Cybercrime Act: Reps Direct NSA, CBN To Carryout Further Enlightenment on Levy
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has moved a motion directing the Central Bank of Nigeria and Office of National Security Adviser to cause further enlightenment on the Cyber Crimes Act and implementation of the 0.5% (0.005) levy, correct the wrong perception on the implementation of the Cybercrimes Act been circulated in the social media.
This was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance by the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda and seven (7) other lawmakers on the “Urgent Need To Correct The Wrong Perception Of The House Of Representatives Position On Implementation Of The Cybercrimes Act”, on Tuesday at plenary.
Debating the motion Rep. Chinda noted that on 9th May 2024, the House considered a joint motion on the implementation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2015 as amended in 2024 and resolved to direct the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withdraw the ambiguous circular of 6th May 2024 and in its place issue an unambiguous and unequivocal circular in line with the letters and spirit of the law and directed the House Committees on Banking Regulations and Ancillary Institutions to guide the CBN properly.
But the Minority Leader stated that the media space was awash with the wrong impression that the House of Representatives was against a Law passed by Her, which impression painted the House in bad light.
He said: “Cognizant that the world is a global village and with the internet-of-things, crime is moving from meat space (real or physical world) to cyber space without the physical limitations of boundaries.
“Further cognizant that cybercrime is more devastating and can cripple a nation easier that the conventional crime in the physical space.
“Aware the humongous cost expanded on security and the very likely limitations of funding cyber space security by government.
“Further aware that some establishments carry out their businesses within the cyber space and make profits therefrom.
“Also aware that the Cybercrimes Act imposes a levy of 0.05% (0.005) on some establishments enumerated in the second schedule to the Act, that occupy the cyberspace; do business therein and make profit therefrom”.
Rep. Chinda stated that the letter and spirit of the Law as crafted by the Parliament is not only commendable but in tune with contemporary trend and supportive of the global fight against Cyber Crime.
He further noted that the levy does not apply to ordinary Nigerians but only to the establishments listed in the second schedule to the Act, which includes; GSM Service providers and all telecommunication companies; Internet Service Providers; Banks and other Financial Institutions; Insurance Companies; and Nigerian Stock Exchange.
“Order 20, Rule 93 (2) (b) of the House Rules provides that ‘in the event of joint oversight on issues relating to cybersecurity, the Committee on National Security and Intelligence shall work with the Committee on Digital and Information Technology. In such cases, the Committee on National Security and Intelligence shall be the lead Committee”, he added.
Explaining further he said: “Our role is to make Law and once there is an attempt to abuse the law that we made, it is necessary that we take a clear decision and that is what I have called on us to do today. Now, if in cause of implementation, we find out that the implementers, that is, the executive arm, are abusing it, we come back to amend it. But we can not at this stage amend by way of motion.
All we are doing is to caution the executive arm. This side, the content of the law we made, in cause of execution, does not task Nigerians directly or indirectly. If we find out that there are indirect taxes, it is justified for us to come back here and amend the law and see how we can improve on what we have done. Therefore, all we are doing today is to continue to enlighten Nigerians because a lot of them are still not aware that this law does not apply to you, but those who are making profit from the cyber space”.
“If the people feel otherwise, it is our duty to came back and amend that portion if possible remove it”.
In his ruling the presiding officer who is the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu stated: “Bybthis it means that the House of Representatives is standing bybthe law it made on the Cyber Security. We are standing in the government that is interested in ensuring that we are protected on what we can see with our physical eyes and what happens within the Cyber Space.
“That have shown the support that citizens of the country should not be taxed”.
The House through a voice vote unanimously adopted the motion and mandated the House Committees on National Security and Intelligence, Digital and Information Technology, Justice, Digital Economy, and Electronic Banking to superintend over the implementation of the House resolution of 9th May 2024 on the Cybersecurity Levy, with the committee on National Security and Intelligence as the lead the committee.
Monthly disbursements to the federal, states and local government areas dropped for the third consecutive time yesterday. The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) shared N1.58 trillion to the three tiers for March
The committee announced N2. 411 trillion as the total revenue generated in March at its April meeting in Abuja yesterday.
The total distributable revenue comprised N931.325 billion from statutory sources, N593.750 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT), N24.971 billion from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) and N28.711 billion from Exchange Difference revenue.
According to the communiqué issued by FAAC, the gross revenue available for March stood at N2.411 trillion. The deductions for cost of collection stood N85.376 billion, while N747.180 billion went to transfers, interventions and refunds accounted consumed.
Despite the lower net revenue available for distribution, the March statutory revenue of N1.718 trillion showed an increase of N65.422 billion over the N1.653 trillion received in February.
However, revenue from Value Added Tax (VAT) dropped to N637.618 billion last month from the February figure of N654.456 billion – a decrease of N16.838 billion.
From the total distributable sum of N1.578 trillion, the federal government received N528.696 billion; states collectively got N530.448 billion, while the 774 local government areas received N387.002 billion. Additionally, N132.611 billion – representing 13 per cent of mineral revenue – was allocated to oil-producing states as derivation revenue.
The breakdown of the N931.325 billion statutory revenue shows that the federal government took N422.485 billion, the states got N214.290 billion and N165.209 billion shared to the councils. The oil-producing states received N129.341 billion from this component as derivation revenue.
From the VAT pool of N593.750 billion, the federal government got N89.063 billion, states got N296.875 billion and the local government areas got N207.813 billion.
For the EMTL revenue of N24.971 billion, the federal government took N3.746 billion, states received N12.485 billion and local government areas went home with N8.740 billion.
In the case of Exchange Difference revenue of N28.711 billion, the federal government received N13.402 billion, states N6.798 billion and local government areas was allocated N5.241 billion. A further N3.270 billion from this revenue was distributed as 13 per cent derivation to oil-producing states.
A deeper look into the revenue trends shows that while Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and Companies Income Tax (CIT) increased significantly during the month under review, several other key sources witnessed declines.
These include Oil and Gas royalty, EMTL, VAT, Excise Duty, Import Duty, and Common External Tariff (CET) Levies.
A viral video showing several Nigerian police officers allegedly receiving N5,000 each from a Chinese man and his family has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over corruption and ethics in the Nigeria Police Force.
The footage, which surfaced online, shows uniformed officers lining up as a Chinese man hands them cash gifts.
The incident has drawn sharp condemnation from the public and human rights advocates, who described it as disgraceful and damaging to the image of the police.
When contacted by Vanguard, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said he was unaware of the viral video or the incident.
Similarly, the Lagos State Police Command distanced itself from the footage. Its spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, clarified that the incident did not occur in Lagos, contrary to claims circulating online.
Public figures have also weighed in. Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), described the video as “shameful” and called for the removal of the IGP.
“This is why I keep saying illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun must leave the police force. It is the shame of the nation,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
Popular social commentator and human rights activist Martins Victor Otse, also known as VeryDarkBlackMan, called the act “disgraceful, disrespectful, and degrading,” urging the police leadership to address the matter transparently.
The incident has intensified calls for accountability, with many Nigerians demanding disciplinary action and systemic reforms to restore public confidence in the police force.
The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 18, and Monday, April 21, 2025, as public holidays to mark Good Friday and Easter Monday.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday.
He emphasised the importance of embodying the virtues of the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ, who had to die for the redemption of man, while greeting Christians on the joyous occasion.
In a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister called on Nigerians to use the holiday period to pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the nation.
He reassured citizens of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to foster national growth and development.
“Furthermore, he encouraged Nigerians to extend love and goodwill to their neighbours through acts of kindness and generosity.
“The minister wished all Christians a blissful Easter celebration and extended warm holiday greetings to all Nigerians,” the statement added.
-
News19 hours agoTears, anguish as Plateau Community buries 51 killed by bandits
-
News19 hours agoSHOCKING! One month after giving birth, woman discovers another baby in her womb
-
News17 hours agoCBEX: 60 fraudulent Ponzi scheme operators to avoid in Nigeria
-
News19 hours agoAngry investors raid CBEX office, loot assets in Ibadan after digital Platform crash
-
Politics19 hours agoIgbo Youths Set To Mobilize 5 Million Man-March In Support Of Tinubu, Kalu
-
News19 hours ago‘Not something I’d wish on anyone’ — Melinda Gates opens up on divorce
-
News15 hours agoAgbakoba questions inconsistencies in Natasha’s sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio
-
News14 hours agoReps Minority Caucus decries incessant tanker fire explosions, call for decisive actions to avert future occurrences