NCC tasks judiciary on Cybercrime Act

NCC

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, on Monday called on the judiciary to ensure implementation of the Cybercrime Act 2015.

Danbatta made the call in Lagos at a workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications, organized by the NCC in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

He said that implementation of the Act would ensure reduction if not total eradication of cyber crimes in the country.

According to the executive vice-chairman, implementation of the Cybercrimes Act entails that the judiciary understands the law, to keep abreast of developments in cyberspace.

“The knowledge of the law will ensure that forbiddance in the Act are adequately addressed.

“The implementation of the cybercrime law is domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser but the NCC plays an important role in the articulation of the law.

“We have an important department of the commission: the New Media Information Security Department.

“It has played an active role in engaging the judicial arm of government to ensure implementation of the Act.’’

Danbatta noted that proliferation of the e-payment system, following the Federal Government’s adoption of the cashless policy had led to massive increase in mobile and online transactions in recent times.

He said that the proliferation of e-payment system came with a resultant increase in financially-related cybercrimes.

Danbatta noted that cyber criminals had continued to develop new strategies to circumvent cyber- security models, regardless of their sophistication.

“We are hopeful that in the continuing course of implementation of the Cybercrime Act 2015, cyber security will be strengthened,’’ he said.

Danbatta said the annual workshop, which was in its 12th year, was conceptualized to bridge knowledge gaps in topical and emerging areas of telecommunications.

He said the workshop had a view to keep the judiciary abreast of key and relevant issues in the telecommunications industry.

According to him, such vital knowledge of the industry will ensure that the judiciary is able to competently navigate relevant legal issues presented for adjudication.

The NJI Administrator, Justice Rosaline Bozimo, said that the courts were often approached for determination of legal issues and remedies arising from operations of telecommunications stakeholders.

Bozimo listed service providers, customer grievances, financial service operations, kidnapping and terrorism-related matters as issues requiring legal remedies.

She said that electronically generated evidence and data that were presented for determination required clear understanding of the operation of the sector.

The administrator stressed that the electronically generated materials necessitated continuing judicial education in telecommunications.

“This workshop, therefore, serves as an avenue for judges, regulators and other stakeholders to share knowledge, exchange ideas and experiences on pertinent legal and technical issues in the sector.

“This is with a view to further understanding and overcoming these challenges,” she said.