On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria, upheld the NIBSS’s power to administer the countrywide Bank Verification Number (BVN) database in accordance with the CBN Act and other applicable banking regulations. Justice James Omotosho ruled on Friday that this should be the case.
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Wolemi Esan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Kofo Abdulsalam-Alada, chief counsel for the CBN, were among those who requested a restraining order on behalf of NIBSS. The purpose of the injunction was to prohibit any Nigerian institution from questioning the agency’s statutory jurisdiction to administer and maintain the BVN database.
This is in response to claims made by NIBSS that Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative has challenged its ability to maintain the BVN database and has asserted that this management violates constitutional privacy rights in a number of lawsuits.
On the other hand, Justice Omotosho ruled that the BVN did not violate anyone’s right to privacy under the constitution.
“The initiative is a vital tool for protecting the public interest and improving financial security; it does not violate the constitutional right to privacy.
According to the judge, “NIBSS has the power to manage the BVN,” referencing applicable laws from the CBN. The court has granted the reliefs of NIBSS as requested,” he declared.