Cyber security levy illegal, unconstitutional – Lawyer tackles Nigerian Govt

A human rights activist, Madubuachi Idam, has likened the cyber security levy introduced by the Federal Government to stealing from Nigerians.

Idam said it was illegal and unconstitutional to tax Nigerians for security.

On Monday, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, mandated all banks in Nigeria to collect and remit a 0.5 per cent cyber security levy to the Office of the National Security Adviser.

DAILY POST reported that the CBN made this notice public through its directors of Payment System Management and Financial Policy and Regulation Departments, Chibuzor Efobi and Haruna Mustafa

Reacting, Idam appealed to President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Government to allow Nigerians to breath.

Chatting with DAILY POST, Idam said: “Why must citizens bear the cost of security in Nigeria?

“Taxing citizens to provide cybersecurity is tantamount to stealing from them by the government.

“Whether cyber or physical security, remains the exclusive responsibility of government. Under the social contract theory, citizens surrender their rights and loyalty to the state while the state in turn provides security for them. Therefore, it is grossly illegal and unconstitutional to tax citizens for the purpose of security.

“Funny how President Tinubu thinks that taxation is an alternative to production.

“He should be informed that he cannot tax his way out of economic crisis. Let him gather his team and think out of the box. Taxation is not an option.

“The neck pressing is too much, he should let us breath.”