Mahdi Shehu, a prominent social critic has described the cybersecurity levy imposed by the Central bank of Nigeria, CBN, bank customers in the country as a robbery.
Shehu made the remark on his X handle on Wednesday, describing the levy as “pure sadism and “digital robbery” by the federal government.
The Source magazine reported that the CBN had directed commercial banks in the country to deduct 0.5 percent from any transactions made by customers.
The proceed, according to the apex bank would be domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, in line with the enabling Act the government-controlled bank said in a circular to financial institutions on Tuesday.
The implementation of the directive also takes effect from May 20, the Yemi Cardoso led ban k said.
The issue has generated a serious condemnation from not a few Nigerians, who said the decision should be reversed immediately.
Reacting Mahdi claimed that N3 trillion is expected to be realized from the cybersecurity fee, adding that more hardship are being imposed on Nigerians by the Tinubu’s administration.
Below A Full Text Of Mahdi’s Comment
- FROM 20th May 2024, every person living in Nigeria who transacts electronic business transacti will pay 0.5% tax to BOLA TINUBU.
- N3Trillion will be extorted annually.
- This is pure Sadism, digital robbery, breach of social contract, an assault on Nigerian, and an indication that our prayers are being answered early enough.
- So far, Tinubu has exposed all of us to fuel subsidy withdrawal, fertiliser subsidy withdrawal, electricity subsidy withdrawal, educational subsidy withdrawal, increased import and export duties, closed boarders and opened them when, maximum damage has veen done to the economy, collected over N30.Trillion loan sofar.
- We are waiting for the introduction of taxes on atmospheric oxygen and carbodaoxide,on cemetries, on rural and urban roads, on all parties where Buga dance will not be performed, on all naming and marriage ceremonies, on all traditional and cultural ceremonies, on mosque, churches and shrines etc so that Bola &.Co can have enough for.2027 elections, carry the balance to the graves and use same to intimidate angels.
- We await the withdrawal of taxes on tobacco, COCAINE, hard drugs, indeed on all intoxicants, on lottery & gambling, on prostitution houses.
- With this visible greed and sadism, A DAY IS COMING AND FAST APPROACHING. AMEN
