CITIZENS GAVEL, 600 OTHERS, PETITION CBN OVER HARASSMENT, BREACH OF DATA PRIVACY BY UNLICENSED MONEY LENDERS

In a concerted effort to combat loan app defamation in Nigeria, Citizens' Gavel a civic tech NGO that aims to create a world where justice delivery is fast and efficient regardless of economic or political demographics has submitted a formal petition to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), seeking the immediate sanction of thirty unlicensed digital money lenders operating in Nigeria.

These entities, violating the consumer rights of Nigerians has raised concerns about their unlicensed operations and unethical practices.

The organization, dedicated to justice delivery, transparency, and legal support, highlighted the alarming trend of unlicensed digital money lenders resorting to illegal means, such as harassment, character assassination and data privacy breaches, to coerce customers into settling outstanding debts.

The petition, supported by over 600 complaints against these entities, pinpoints thirty companies engaged in unethical practices ranging from defamation, character assassination, cyber harassment, and violation of data rights while pursuing loan repayments from their customers.

“The loan apps in question are accused of offering exploitative interest rates with excessively high daily rates, leading to financial strain and challenges in loan repayment for many borrowers.

Furthermore, these entities are alleged to breach data privacy rights, invading customers' privacy and disseminating defamatory information”, Funmi Oderinde, a legal associate at Citizens’ Gavel, explained.

“We call for comprehensive and thorough investigation into the activities of these digital money lenders and the enforcement of strict penalties and sanctions for those found guilty of exploiting borrowers and violating regulations”, Nelson Olanipekun, Citizens’ Gavel's team lead said in an interview.

In the petition, the organization demands that the CBN issue directives to banks to withdraw their services from identified accounts associated with unlicensed and unregulated loan companies engaging in exploitative practices.

Moreover, they called for compensation, public apologies, and accountability measures from the identified loan companies for the distress and harm caused to affected individuals.

Citizens' Gavel implores the CBN to take immediate action against the identified entities violating consumer rights, emphasizing the severe consequences, including increased suicide risk, depression, economic hardships, and traumatic experiences for affected individuals.

“There is the need for the CBN to fortify existing regulations, enact targeted measures, and develop comprehensive guidelines to combat the proliferation of unlicensed digital lenders, ensuring consumer protection in digital lending practices”, Citizens’ Gavel’s Operations Lead, Oluwafemi Ajibade, emphasized.

In conclusion, Citizens' Gavel calls upon the CBN to take decisive action by reinforcing regulations, instituting clear guidelines, and implementing stringent penalties.

This coordinated effort is essential to curb the menace of unlicensed and exploitative digital loan apps, safeguarding the financial well-being of Nigerian consumers and ensuring a fair and transparent lending environment.

Citizens' Gavel looks forward to the prompt attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria to this matter.

Signed

Rachael Adio

Communications Associate, Citizens’ Gavel.

GOVERNMENT COLLEGE IBADAN OLD STUDENT DOCKED OVER ASSAULT ON FEMALE LAWYER

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrate court has remanded in prison custody, a 59 year old ex-student of Government College Ibadan, Debo Adegbola over a three count charge bothering on indecent touching, sexual assault and breach of public peace. The accused, who is an automobile dealer who pleaded not guilty to the charges had on Saturday, 17th February, 2024, at a burial party in a popular event center along poly Eleyele road in Ibadan, indecently touched the victim in sensitive parts of her body publicly without her consent. Adebowale, was also said to have slapped the victim, who is an Ibadan based female legal practitioner countless number of times in the process of the assault. Still not satisfied, Debo Adegbola was alleged to have picked up a bottle and smashed it on the head of the victim, thereby breaking her skull in the process, causing her grievious injury leaving her in a pool of blood before she was rushed to a private hospital around Bodija area of Ibadan for first aid treat...

OYO ASSEMBLY TO CONFIRM JUSTICE TAJUDEEN ABDUL'GANIYU AS PRESIDENT, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL

Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has forwarded a letter requesting for the confirmation of appointment of Hon. Justice Tajudeen Muhammad Abdul Ganiyu as the President Customary Court of Appeal, Oyo State to the State House of Assembly. The request follows the recommendation of Hon. Justice Tajudeen Muhammad Abdul Ganiyu to the National Judicial Council as President of the Court of Appeal by the Oyo State Judicial Service Commission. According to the letter, ” Consequent upon the request, the National Judicial Council has recommended Hon. Justice Tajudeen Muhammad Abdul Ganiyu as the new President of Oyo State Customary Court of Appeal.” The position became vacant due to the retirement of former President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Oyo State, Hon. Justice Moshood Akintunde Abass. BIOGRAPHY OF HON. JUSTICE TAJUDEEN MUHAMMAD ABDULGANIYU. His Lordship, Hon. Justice Tajudeen Muhammed Abdul Ganiyu was born on 19th January 1962. He attended Bayero University, Kano between 1...

COURT FORFEIT TWO OIL BUNKERING VESSEL TO GOVERNMENT

Two Federal High Courts sitting in Abuja has ordered the forfeiture of MT Kali and MT Harbor Spirit, two bunkering vessels to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The two vessels were recently arrested by operatives of TSSNL in conjunction with the special task force set up by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla. Delivering an interim order of forfeiture in the case filed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, Justice J. K. Omotosho yesterday ordered that MT Harbor Spirit and its content be forfeited to the Federal Government pending when any party might show cause why the order should not be made final within six months. The police, in the charge between the IGP v. MT Kali & 22 others, had arraigned the vessel and its crew members before Justice J. O. Abdulmalik. The court ordered the sale of the stolen crude oil contained in the impounded ocean-going equipment by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and also directed that the p...

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