Lawyers Without Borders raises alarm over Corporate Affairs Commission data breach
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Avocats Sans Fronti猫res France, also known as Lawyers Without Borders, has expressed concern over a recent data breach at the Corporate Affairs Commission CAC, warning that it could undermine the privacy rights of Nigerian entrepreneurs. The organization's Country Director, Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, signed a statement on Tuesday, following the CAC's public notice on April 15 confirming a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized access to its information systems. The CAC stated it activated response protocols and is working with the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA and other stakeholders to assess the breach's scope, implementing containment measures and additional safeguards. ASF France alleges the breach, linked to "ByteToBreach," compromised sensitive personal data, including handwritten signatures, national identity documents, and passport photographs. The organization described this as a violation of the constitutional right to privacy and a breach of obligations under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. It criticized the CAC's handling of the situation, citing inadequate disclosure and lack of clarity, particularly regarding the number of affected individuals and characterizing system disruptions as "scheduled maintenance," which could erode public trust. ASF France also noted the CAC's failure to fully comply with data protection law provisions requiring direct notification of affected individuals in high-risk breaches. Concerns were
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has clarified that the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, Kemi Nandap, is not under investigation for alleged visa racketeering. This statement from the EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, addresses media reports and online suggestions linking Nandap to such a probe. While the EFCC confirmed it is investigating alleged visa fraud involving some immigration officers, it explicitly stated that the NIS boss has no connection to these cases. The commission noted that criminal proceedings are already underway in the Federal High Court against some immigration officers for alleged visa fraud, and further investigations are ongoing, which may lead to the prosecution of additional officers. The EFCC urged media organizations to verify information before publication to prevent misrepresentation of its activities. Allegations had surfaced regarding some immigration officers unlawfully collecting money from visa overstayers instead of enforcing penalties under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, which mandates a $15 daily fine for foreign nationals overstaying their visas. Reports also mentioned investigations into N700 million traced to one officer's account and properties allegedly acquired by another suspect through third parties.
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