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High Court Affirms NIBSS’ Right To Manage BVN Database

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High Court Affirms NIBSS’ Right To Manage BVN Database

High Court Affirms NIBSS’ Right To Manage BVN Database

High Court affirms NIBSS’ right to manage BVN database. A federal high court in Abuja has affirmed the legality of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) as the manager of the bank verification number (BVN) database.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, James Omotosho, presiding judge, ruled that NIBSS operations are consistent with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act and other relevant financial laws.

NIBSS, represented by Wolemi Esan, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), filed the suit.

The case listed the Incorporated Trustees of Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative, the CBN, and the attorney general of the federation (AGF) as first to third defendants.

NIBSS sought a declaration affirming that its management of BVN data does not violate Nigerians’ constitutional right to privacy or any other existing laws.

It also requested a perpetual injunction restraining any entity or individual, including the Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative, from contesting its statutory role.

The company argued that it was empowered to develop and regulate a nationwide infrastructure for electronic payments and fund transfers, and that the BVN system falls within this mandate.

NIBSS accused the Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative of repeatedly filing lawsuits, directly or through proxies, challenging its authority and claiming privacy rights violations.

In support, Kofo Abdulsalam-Alada, counsel for the CBN, filed a counter-affidavit stating that NIBSS’s role in managing the BVN database is lawful, constitutionally approved, and essential for financial security and system stability.

He cited Section 47(2) of the CBN Act (2007) and provisions of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 to affirm the CBN’s authority to establish and regulate payment systems.

Delivering judgment, Omotosho ruled that the BVN initiative does not infringe on privacy rights and affirmed NIBSS’s authority to maintain the system.

He noted that the CBN’s regulatory powers are well-established in BOFIA 2020 and relevant laws.
“NIBSS has the power to manage the BVN. The court grants the reliefs of NIBSS as prayed,” the judge ruled.

High Court Affirms NIBSS’ Right To Manage BVN Database

High Court Affirms NIBSS’ Right To Manage BVN Database

He also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative and any other parties from challenging NIBSS’s management of the BVN.

Omotosho concluded that the judgment is a judgment in rem, binding on all persons and entities unless overturned on appeal.

A judgment in rem is a court ruling that is binding on the whole world, rather than just the parties involved in the lawsuit.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

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