In the eyes of human rights advocate Madubuachi Idam, the cyber security levy recently imposed by the Nigerian government is akin to theft from the people of the nation.
Idam has strongly asserted that the act of taxing Nigerians for security purposes is both illegal and in violation of the constitution.
As per recent directives from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), all banks in the country are now obliged to collect and forward a 0.5% cyber security levy to the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Reports from NewsNow indicate that the CBN officially communicated this instruction through Chibuzor Efobi and Haruna Mustafa, who serve as directors of the Payment System Management and Financial Policy and Regulation Departments.
In response to these developments, Idam called on the administration led by President Bola Tinubu to ease the burden on Nigerians.
During a conversation with NewsNow, Idam raised concerns, questioning the rationale behind expecting citizens to bear the financial load of ensuring security within the nation.
He stated, “Imposing a tax on citizens for the purpose of cyber security is equivalent to governmental theft from the populace.”
“Whether it pertains to cyber or physical security, the primary obligation to uphold security rests with the government. In accordance with the social contract theory, citizens relinquish certain rights and pledge their allegiance to the state with the expectation that the state would provide security in return. Therefore, the notion of taxing citizens for security reasons is highly unlawful and goes against the constitution.”
Idam further criticized what he perceived as President Tinubu’s belief that increased taxation could serve as a viable solution for economic challenges.
He emphasized, “It is imperative for him to understand that taxation alone cannot resolve economic crises. He should rally his team to explore innovative strategies and think beyond convention. Taxation should not be the default choice.”
“The pressure on citizens is becoming overbearing, and it is time for the government to offer some respite.”