Nigerians can face criminal charges for data misuse — PIN Director

The Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative (PIN), Gbenga Sesan, has raised concerns about the potential risks citizens face from terrorism and other criminal charges if their data is used illegally.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, he highlighted the case of Xpressverify, a secondary licensee of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), stating that NIMC is equally at fault.

Despite reporting the issue to the data protection commission, he noted that the response was inadequate.

“We are not happy that the NDPC, who should be an independent institution by law, did not do enough to make NIMC understand the impact of what they did with ‘Xpressverify,'” Sesan said.

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He mentioned the creation of “Anyverify.com.ng” as a response to this situation and expressed confidence in their legal position, having archived evidence of the website’s activities.

Sesan further revealed that sensitive data, including that of the Presidency, security chiefs, and other government officials, is available for purchase at a nominal fee.

“We went to this website and paid a few hundred Naira and we got NIMC slips of the Minister of ICT, Dr. Bosun Tijani, for ₦100.

We also obtained the NIMC slip of the National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, for ₦100,” he disclosed.

PIN urged the Nigerian government to conduct a thorough investigation into these illegal activities, enhance cybersecurity measures, implement the Data Protection Act, and strengthen the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.

They emphasized the need for public awareness about data breach risks and provided guidance on protective measures.