On Thursday, May 9, the House of Representatives urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately cease the implementation of the apex bank’s cybercrime levy, which was imposed in accordance with the terms of the Cybercrime Act.
The House said the apex bank’s circular was open to misinterpretation by Nigerians since it contradicted the spirit and text of section 44(2a) of the Cybercrime Act, which specifies who is required to pay the tax.
Adopting a motion of urgent public importance moved by Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) on behalf of the entire members, the House asked the Central Bank to immediately withdraw it’s earlier circular on the implementation of the levy and issue another circular in love with the provisions of the Act.
Chinda said section 44(2a) of the cybercrime act listed those to pay the stipulated fees as GSM abd telecom companies, Internet providers, Banks and other financial institutions, insurance companies and Stocks Exchange.
He explained that the circular from the CBN has raised apprehension across the country as it has given the impression that the levy is to be paid by Nigerians in an era when they are still battling with increase in price of petroleum product among others.
He said further that the CBN circular has been subjected to several interpretation.