Fed Govt set for cybercrime centre as stakeholders seek better handling of menace

Federal Government, yesterday, disclosed its readiness to launch the National Cybercrime Centre to check increasing cyber-related crimes in the country.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, made the disclosure at the first consultation forum on national legal framework on cybercrime in Abuja.

He said the centre, to be supervised by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), would synergise with national and international security communities for robust legislation and strategies to protect the nation’s cyberspace.

National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) pointed out that the cyberspace is currently threatened by money laundering, child pornography, among other cyber-related offences.

He said to reverse the trend and maximise potential of the cyberspace, there was need for collaborative efforts by agencies to cope with the threats.

On his part, chairman of African Union Cybersecurity Group of Experts, Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, also stressed the need to improve legislation along with cybersecurity architecture in the country.

His words: “I urge Nigeria to ratify and accede to the Malabo Convention as Africa has started moving forward on it without us.

“However, legislation alone is not enough. We need to fortify our digital frontiers with advanced cybersecurity technologies.”

Similarly, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Ali Isa Pantami, also called for collaborative efforts by ministries and agencies of government to tackle the menace.

He urged improved legislative framework to combat the offences.

Also, Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, canvassed improved legal framework to combat rising threats to Nigeria’s cyberspace.

Earlier, Solicitor-General of the Federation, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, in her welcome address, advised participants to harness the opportunities provided by the three-day consultative forum to improve modalities towards curbing cybercrime in the country.

Chief Judge of Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, on his part, pledged the commitment of the courts towards achieving objectives of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Preventions) Act, 2015.

Represented by Justice D.U. Okorowo, the CJ clarified that that the Federal High Court is not just a critical stakeholder, but a decisive partner in giving vent to the law.