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Court Grants PIN, PPDC Leave to Sue NIMC over Information on National ID Card Contract

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted two non-governmental organizations leave to challenge the refusal of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to provide them with the procurement records and details of the contract between the Commission and MasterCard for the payment solution contained in the new multipurpose national identity card.

Justice Evoh Chukwu issued an order granting leave to the two organizations, Paradigm Initiative for Information Technology Development (PIN) and Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), following a motion exparte brought on their behalf by Mr. Terence Vembe, a member of the Network of Freedom of Information Lawyers.

In the suit, which they filed against the NIMC; its Director-General, Mr. Chris Onyemenam; and the Attorney-General of the Federation, PIN and PPDC are seeking:

•         A declaration that the failure and/or refusal of the NIMC and its Director-General to disclose or make available to them the information they requested by their letters dated September 4 and November 25, 2014 constitutes a violation of their right of access to information established and guaranteed by Sections 1(1) and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011;

•         A declaration that the failure and/or refusal of the NIMC and its Director-General to disclose or make the information they requested available to them amounts to wrongful denial of access to information under Section 7(4) and (5) of the FOI Act;

•         An order of mandamus compelling the NIMC and its Director-General to disclose or make available to them the procurement and Contract/Agreement records for the provision of payment solutions by MasterCard for the General Multipurpose Card, particularly all the information listed and requested by them in their letters of September 4 and November 25, 2014; and

•         An order of mandamus compelling the Attorney-General of the Federation to initiate and diligently prosecute criminal proceedings against the NIMC and its Director-General for the offence of wrongful denial of access to information pursuant to Section 7(5) of the FOI Act.

In the alternative, the organizations are asking for an order of mandamus compelling the Attorney-General of the Federation to grant them or any lawyer of their choice a fiat to initiate and prosecute criminal proceedings against the NIMC for the offence of wrongful denial of access to information.

They are also claiming the sum of N1 million as exemplary and aggravated damages for the unlawful violation of their right of access to information.

PIN and PPDC alleged in their suit that the NIMC and the Federal Government have formed a partnership with MasterCard under which they would impose a new identity card on every Nigerian and compel all Nigerians to participate in the financial services sector under the control of MasterCard, a foreign multinational financial services corporation headquartered in New York in the United States.

 According to them, under the first phase of the programme, all Nigerians who are 16 years and older and all residents in Nigeria for more than two years will have imposed on them, the new multipurpose identity card which has 13 applications, including MasterCard’s prepaid payment technology that will impose electronic payments solutions on the card holders while the card is also expected to serve as voting card in Nigeria as early as the 2019 general elections.

PIN and PPDC are alleging that with the card, the Federal Government can terminate citizens’ and other card holders electronic financial lifelines if anything were to happen within the country, for example in the form of protests, economic downturns, insurrection, a war or if a financial institution such as MasterCard were to go bankrupt.

 They also expressed the fear that there are many other reasons why the Federal Government or MasterCard can decide to turn off the electronic chip (RFID) of the card, which would render card holders stranded, especially with the existence of a powerful financial institution issuing payments electronically with a government that is supported and controlled by the United States, which would make unlimited control of the populace inevitable.

 After listening to the submissions of Mr. Vembe, lawyer to PIN and PPDC, at the hearing of the motion exparte on Monday, March 30, Justice Chukwu granted the organizations’ prayers for an extension the time within which they could sue the NIMC and also granted them leave to apply for a judicial review of the NIMC’s refusal to provide them with the information they requested.

Justice Chukwu thereafter adjourned the proceedings to April 21, 2015 for hearing of the substantive suit.


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E-Business

Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

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The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.

Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity

Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.

When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.

The growing demand for proactive security

One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.

Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.

With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.

Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies

The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.

“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.

Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.

When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.

This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.

As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.

 


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Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

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The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.

To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.

Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.

Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”

He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”

Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.

As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.

Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.


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Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

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The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.

When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.

At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.

“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.

 


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