The House of Representatives on Wednesday accused the Central Bank of Nigeria, the office of the Attorney of the Federation of misleading the public on cybersecurity levy imposed on Nigerians. This followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Honorable Kingsley Chinda who raised alarm that the common man has no business with payment of levies but institutions under the second schedule.
It’s exactly one week the parliament moved in favor of a motion asking the CBN to halt planned implementation. There are fears that cybersecurity levy imposed by the central bank of Nigeria is targeted at the common man.
To this end, the House is doing all they can to clear the air on the levy citing establishments involved to include GSM service providers, Insurance companies, Banks among others.
The lawmakers accused the Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria as well as the Attorney General of the Federation of misleading the public saying No Nigerian is meant to be taxed under the cybercrime act. Another lawmaker from Jigawa State Hon. Makki Yalleman expressed fears that the new levy will directly or indirectly affect the common man if caution is not taken.
The committee on National security and intelligence, Digital and electronic banking and Justice is to further investigate the and report back to the House. In another development, The House was also divided over a motion to summon the National security adviser over the presidential air fleet.
This is coming after the Vice President Kashim Shettima was originally scheduled to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa but was forced to make a detour. Mover of the motion, Hon Ahmed Satomi while moving his motion divided the house with majority of the lawmakers suggesting the alternative means of transportation for public service holders
The motion was gradually generating a rowdy debate but the Deputy speaker in his wisdom asked the mover to step down the motion. They argued that it is embarrassing to bring such matter to the floor of the House
After the back forth, the House asked the chairman on National Security and Intelligence to use his powers to address the matter. Also at plenary the House mandated its committee on FCT to invite relevant stakeholders to discuss viable solutions to the issue of arbitrary increase of house rent in the Federal Capital Territory.
The motion moved by Hon Emmanuel Ukpong – Udo sought to address the exorbitant charges on house rents ranging from 5–10%, legal fees of 20%, and agency fees. The house adjourned plenary till Thursday for further legislative action.