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Court Backs CBN, Orders Banks to Collect Customers’ Social Media Handles

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The Federal High Court in Lagos has upheld a new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulation requiring financial institutions to collect the social media handles of their customers as part of the standard Know-Your-Customer (KYC) procedure.

In a ruling on Thursday, May 16, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba determined that the regulation does not violate the privacy rights of bank customers.

The court dismissed a suit filed by Lagos-based lawyer Chris Eke, who argued that the regulation, contained in Section 6(a)(iv) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Customer Due Diligence) Regulations, 2023, was unconstitutional.

Eke contended that the regulation was undemocratic and infringed on Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which guarantees the privacy of citizens. He sought a perpetual injunction to prevent the CBN from enforcing this regulation.

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The CBN, in response, filed a preliminary objection challenging the suit’s competence. The bank argued that the regulation did not interfere with the private lives of customers.

Justice Dimgba agreed with the CBN, stating that the regulation is akin to requiring an email address or phone number, which are common KYC requirements.

“The provision of a social media handle is the same as the provision of email address, phone numbers and other means by which a potential customer of a bank can be contacted and due diligence conducted,” he said.

Justice Dimgba further noted that the purpose of social media accounts is for public visibility, making it unreasonable to claim a privacy breach. He emphasized that no financial institution had begun implementing the regulation or caused any disruptions.

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The apprehension of the Applicant of his social interactions being monitored is manifestly speculative,” the judge stated, concluding that the suit was without merit and should be struck out.

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WATCH moment Tinubu hails FCT minister for his doggedness, sterling performance

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President Bola Tinubu has described the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, minister Nyesom Wike as a performing and dogged technocrat.

Naijablitznews reports Tinubu made this assertion during his maiden presidential chat on Monday.

The president rounded up by saying “I doff my hat for the performing minister.

Watch clip below:

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BREAKING: Human Rights Lawyer Dele Farotimi Released

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By Gloria Ikibah

Prominent human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has been released after fulfilling his bail conditions.

Farotimi, who had been in custody over allegations of defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Afe Babalola, regained his freedom on Tuesday morning.

He is currently enroute to his home in Lagos.

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Confirming the development, activist and politician Omoyele Sowore stated on X, “I am pleased to report that Dele Farotimi is no longer being held in the prison facilities of Ekiti State and is now returning home to Lagos. The struggle continues!”

Earlier, a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado Ekiti granted Farotimi bail, setting conditions that included a N30 million bond, two sureties (one of whom must be a property owner), the submission of his passport, and a restriction on granting media interviews following his release.

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NASC backpedals reverses Atiku’s appointment as DCNA, replaces him with Yero

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Following the intervention by the National Assembly leadership, the National Assembly Service Commission, NASC, has reversed the appointment of Dr Ibrahim Atiku as Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, DCNA.

The Commission has replaced Atiku with the permanent secretary [Estate and Works Directorate], Engineer Bashir Yero.

This was consequent upon the outcome of a meeting convened Monday night by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and their deputies in attendance.

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Present also at the meeting were the Chairman of the NASC, Engineer Ahmed Amshi, two commissioners from NASC, and some permanent secretaries in the NASS bureaucracy.

THE CONCLAVE learnt that the high-level meeting took place in the Senate President’s residence.

Reports from the meeting said that the chairman of the NASC and his commissioners could not justify the appointment of Atiku when asked by the speaker how the choice of Atiku was arrived at.

THE CONCLAVE reports that it was at that point that the commission chairman sought the leave of the Senate President and the Speaker to ask that the permanent secretaries present should excuse them since they could not be sitting over a matter in which they had personal interest.

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Upon their return to the room, after the leadership had arrived at a resolution one way or another, it was agreed that Engr. Bashir Yero of Estate and Works Directorate be appointed the DCNA, while Engr Sanda Liman of Procurement Directorate, be redeployed in Estate and Works.

The newly promoted Ibrahim Atiku [to the position of permanent secretary], as resolved and directed, should be deployed in Procurement Directorate.

The NASC is expected to formalise and/or activate the decision soonest.

Source: CONCLAVE

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