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ISSAN waits on Buhari to implement cybercrime law

By on June 30, 2015

the Information Security Society of Africa-Nigeria says it is waiting “anxiously” on President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the cybercrime law, given his antecedents and tough posture on corruption and other crimes.

The society stated that law, if implemented by Buhari’s administration, would save the nation billions of naira being lost to cyber criminals every year.

While commending former President Goodluck Jonathan for signing the bill on cybercrime into law, it also said that its urgent implementation would help sanitise the country’s cyberspace already riddled with a web of frauds and malpractices.

The ISSAN President and General Manager, Union Bank, Dr. David Isiavwe, said that with the law now in place, it would no longer be business as usual for criminals whose business was to defraud innocent people of their hard-earned money and resources through the Internet and other electronic means.

“We are delighted that Nigeria has joined the few countries in Africa and indeed the world at large, to have a law which provides effective, unified and comprehensive legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the prohibition, detection, prosecution and punishment of cybercrime in the country.

“It will also ensure the protection of computer systems and networks, electronic communications, data and computer programmes, intellectual property and piracy rights,” Isiavwe said.

He added, “ISSAN has, in the last few years, championed the call for an appropriate law and regulations to save Nigerians from cyber criminals who are increasing by the day in the country. It is indeed gratifying to note that this law is now in place.”

Meanwhile, ISSAN president said that it would soon embark on a massive public enlightenment on the new law to prevent Nigerians from falling victim to cyber criminals and help discourage people from indulging in cybercrime to avoid stiff sanctions.

“For sure, it is no longer business as usual for cyber criminals. From the petty criminals operating in cybercafés to the major hackers, email scammers and other computer-based fraudsters, the law stipulates heavy penalties, which the criminals should be made aware of before they embark on their ‘suicide’ mission,” he said.

He added, “Also the new law will help individuals to know their rights as well as the appropriate use of their computer systems and the need to protect themselves against the activities of fraudsters in electronic communications.

“The ISSAN will also collaborate with relevant stakeholders to create the needed awareness by all and sundry until Nigeria successfully reduces the activities of cyber criminals to the barest minimum.”

 

[Punch]