THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to court for its failure to withdraw a contentious regulation demanding financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, to collect customers’ social media handles.
The lawsuit, registered with case number FHC/L/CS/1410/2023, was filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos and calls for an immediate order to prevent the CBN from implementing or enf
orcing the alleged unlawful provisions of the regulation.
Just a month ago, SERAP had issued a stern warning to the central bank, setting a three-day ultimatum to revoke the regulation or face legal consequences.
Explaining the rationale behind the legal action, SERAP contends that the requirement to furnish social media handles or addresses serves no legitimate purpose. Instead, it could potentially lead to an arbitrary infringement of privacy and free expression rights. The information gathered in this manner could be exploited for illegal, political, or other unauthorised activities.
‘We firmly believe that this regulation poses a serious threat to the fundamental rights of individuals. It is our duty to safeguard the rights of Nigerian citizens and protect their privacy and freedom of expression,’ stated the spokesperson for SERAP.
The lawsuit’s hearing date is yet to b
e scheduled, but its submission has already sparked debates over the balance between financial regulations and the protection of individual liberties.
As the legal battle unfolds, the public awaits the court’s decision, which may have far-reaching implications for the future of social media regulations and the protection of citizens’ rights in Nigeria.
