The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) has been recognized as the best cybercrime unit in Africa for 2024 by the INTERPOL Cybercrime Directorate based in Singapore. This recognition comes as the unit announced the recovery of over N8.8 billion, along with significant amounts of cryptocurrency and US dollars, restituted to victims of cybercrime.

In 2024, the NPF-NCCC recovered N8,821,001,881.80 (Eight Billion, Eight Hundred and Twenty-One Million, One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty-One Naira, Eighty Kobo), 115,237.91 USDT, and $84,000 (Eighty-Four Thousand Dollars). The unit also reported the arrest and prosecution of over 751 individuals involved in cybercrime.

Operations conducted by the Cybercrime Unit led to the seizure of 685 devices used in cybercriminal activities, including 467 mobile phones, 137 laptops and computers, 46 routers, 4 servers, 1 drone, and 4 Starlink devices. Authorities also confiscated 16 houses, 39 plots of land, 14 land documents, and 26 vehicles, disrupting the infrastructure supporting these illegal activities.

In addition to these achievements, the NPF-NCCC announced the recent arrest of four suspects: Douglass Victor, Egbo Efe Martins, Lucky Adesunloye, and Ndifreke Joseph Moody, for various cyber-related offenses.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to combating cyber threats and enhancing national cybersecurity. They advised citizens to exercise caution when sharing sensitive information online and to cultivate a culture of cyber awareness and responsible online behavior.

The announcement was made by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on January 7, 2025.

The National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take decisive steps toward tax reform, including reducing corporate taxes to 19% and pegging Value Added Tax (VAT) at 7.5%.

This is contained in a statement signed by the association’s National President, Dele Kelvin Oye.

The current Tax Reforms bills before the National Assembly propose a progressive increase in VAT rates from 10% in 2025 to 12.5% (2026–2029) and 15% from 2030 onward.

According to NACCIMA, the reduction of corporate and value-added taxes will foster economic growth and enhance government revenue.

“We believe corporate taxes should be further reduced to 19% and VAT pegged at 7.5%. We believe this will grow the economy and result in higher tax revenues for the government. As a caveat to protect government revenues, each tax payer must not pay less than the preceding tax year.”

Oye lamented the ongoing disconnect between federal and state governments, which has manifested through public disagreements over revenue sharing. He noted that these engagements often played out in the media, overlooking the fundamental interests of taxpayers and the public.

“The current media engagement between federal and state governments in newspaper and press releases only further confirms the disconnect described above,” Oye remarked. “The beneficiary parties receiving taxpayer funds engage each other on how to secure a larger portion of taxpayer funds without consideration for the public or taxpayer interest.”

Other sectors need reforms too. Oye emphasized that sectors like telecommunications, which contribute significantly to government revenues, require targeted reforms to unlock further growth and revenue potential.

The statement also called for greater inclusion of the private sector in tax reform discussions with stakeholders in areas such as aviation, telecommunications, manufacturers, and operators in Free Trade Zones. Oye criticized the existing approach of using committees that “lecture taxpayers” without yielding positive outcomes.

According to NACCIMA, “Significant tax payers like the telecommunications sector who require reforms; which will result in increased tax revenues should not be ignored. There must be real dialogue with genuine concessions to be made by all parties. The private sector (Aviation, Telecommunications, manufacturers, Free Trade Zones, and other stakeholders must be engaged) in written communication. Committees that come to lecture tax payers are not giving positive outcomes. For better coordination, the outcome of these engagements can be forwarded to the National Assembly through the office of the ATTORNEY GENERAL as directed by Mr President.”

Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, has said that the 300 per cent surge in operational cost in the last 18 to 24 months has made tariff adjustments necessary for the long-term sustainability of the telecom sector.

In a note shared with The PUNCH on Monday, Balsingh highlighted the tough economic realities facing the telecom industry.

He pointed out that tariffs have remained static for over a decade despite significant increases in operating expenses.

Nigerian telcos have submitted their proposal for a 100 per cent tariff increase to the Nigerian Communications Commission, the country’s telecom regulator.

According to Balsingh, the proposed tariff adjustments aim to ensure the sector’s sustainability while delivering significant benefits for Nigerian consumers.

“For over a decade, tariffs have remained static despite the dramatic increase in operating expenses, which have surged by over 300 per cent in the last 18 to 24 months alone.

“To continue providing high-quality services and meeting the growing demand for digital connectivity, it has become essential to realign our pricing structure with economic realities,” Balsingh emphasised.

The executive also outlined the substantial investments required to maintain and expand telecommunications infrastructure.

He noted that the increasing demand for digital services across sectors such as education, banking, and healthcare requires continuous network upgrades to deliver greater capacity and improved service quality.

“The increasing demand for digital services requires us to continually upgrade our networks. These investments come at a cost, one that must be shared proportionally to guarantee long-term viability,” Balsingh added.

The proposed tariff adjustments, he said, will not only ensure the sector’s sustainability but also bring significant improvements to service delivery.

“By enabling us to expand coverage, strengthen network security, and introduce cutting-edge technologies, these adjustments will directly enhance the quality of connectivity for Nigerians. Our priority is to ensure that no one is left behind in the country’s digital transformation journey,” he explained.

Balsingh emphasised that the tariff changes would be implemented with affordability in mind, aiming to minimize the impact on consumers.

He reaffirmed Airtel’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s vision of becoming a digital economy leader in Africa, driving innovation, and fostering inclusive growth.

“Our commitment to quality service remains unwavering,” Balsingh said. “While significant tariff adjustments have become necessary, we understand the importance of gradual implementation to support our customers’ financial positions.

“This step will enable us to invest in capacity, expand coverage, and enhance service delivery, ensuring Nigeria remains competitive in the global digital landscape.”

EFCC PRESS STATEMENT

EFCC Dismisses 27 Officers for Fraudulent Activities, Misconduct

In its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, dismissed twenty seven (27) officers from its workforce in 2024.

The officers were dismissed for various offences bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct. Their dismissal, following the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.

Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the Commission to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures. Every modicum of allegation against any staff of the Commission would always be investigated, including a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a Sectional Head. The core values of the Commission are sacrosanct and would always be held in optimal regard at all times.

The Commission also wishes to alert the public of the sinister activities of impersonators and blackmailers using the name of its Executive Chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects being investigated by the EFCC.

Two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja for allegedly contacting a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Kaka and demanding $1million from him for “Olukoyede to give him soft landing” on a non-existing investigation. Such characters are still on the loose seeking victims.

Olukoyede remains a man of integrity that cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to always report such disreputable elements to the Commission.

Additionally, the EFCC is aware of moves being hatched in some quarters to blackmail officers of the Commission through unwholesome means. Suspects being investigated for some economic and financial crimes who have failed to compromise their investigators would always clutch at any straw. Such blackmailers should not be accorded any form of attention.

Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
January 6, 2025