Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested four suspected bank hackers in Abuja for alleged conspiracy, unauthorized access to banks’ computer systems and fraudulent withdrawal of depositors’ funds.

The suspects are Chima Anthony Nwigwe, suspected leader of the hacking syndicate alongside three others: Effiong Victor Emmanuel, Mohammed Bello Mahmud, the managing director, Downstone Ultimate Limited, and Daminan Ali.

Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC, said in a statement on Tuesday, that the suspects were arrested in a sting operation in Abuja following actionable intelligence about their suspected involvement in hacking, compromising databases of commercial banks, thereby causing fraudulent transfers and withdrawals through different digital platforms.

He also noted that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

At the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, key stakeholders gathered at Semafor’s “The Next 3 Billion” summit to address pressing digital access inequalities affecting millions globally.

L-R: John Giusti; Mcebisi Jonas; Cena Lawson

MTN Group Chairman Mcebisi Jonas, Togolese Minister of Digital Economy and Transformation Cena Lawson, and GSMA Foundation President John Giusti participated in a panel discussion moderated by PBS NewsHour’s Amna Nawaz.

Jonas emphasised the gender gap in digital connectivity as a significant challenge, noting that while advancements have been made in areas like health and financial services, inconsistent policy frameworks across African nations hinder equitable access. “There is no one Africa,” he stated, highlighting the diverse challenges faced by different countries despite shared issues.

He also called for public-private partnerships to combat disparities in affordability and digital literacy; Proposing that collaboration among governments, private sector organisations, and international bodies is essential for addressing device affordability.

“Solving the issue of device affordability requires more than just telco efforts—it also depends on what governments contribute,” he asserted.

Giusti echoed these sentiments by identifying affordability and digital skills as the primary barriers to inclusion. He urged for innovative solutions to expand broadband access and enhance digital skills across Africa.

On her part, Minister Lawson highlighted Togo’s initiatives to improve connectivity through fixed broadband investments, emphasising the importance of international partnerships in making internet services more affordable.

The discussion underscored the urgency of addressing digital inequalities, with approximately 40% of the global population lacking mobile internet access, a staggering 58% of whom are in Africa.

The panellists agreed that closing this gap is vital for enhancing participation in economic and political processes, ultimately benefiting marginalised communities.

Semafor’s “The Next 3 Billion” summit also featured discussions with global leaders, including Nigeria’s Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization; Nigeria’s Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group; Olugbenga Agbo/ CEO of Flutterwave; Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy; Sim Tshabalala, CEO of Standard Bank; Mark Suzman, CEO of Bill & Melinda  Gates Foundation, and Brad Smith, President and Vice Chair of Microsoft.

Nigeria is cracking down on journalists and media workers under the guise of national security, International Journalists Network (IJNet), has reported.

According IJNet, which delivers the latest on global media innovation, news apps and tools, training opportunities and expert advice for professional and emerging journalists worldwide, state authorities have detained journalists and held them for questioning.

It also said that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the country’s broadcast industry regulator, has fined and banned outlets.

IJNet said that in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders ranked Nigeria 112 out of 180 countries, listing the country among the most challenging for journalists in West Africa.

In August, no fewer than 56 journalists were harassed and attacked during anti-government protests, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

“As a journalist practicing in Nigeria, I can confidently say that the environment is far from conducive for journalists to fully exercise their press freedom,” said Kelechi Ekeledo, a reporter at the private broadcaster, Africa Independent Television.

Incidents

In 2022, after airing a documentary about attacks by armed bandits in northwest Nigeria, Trust TV was fined 5 million naira (about US$3,000) by NBC.

The industry regulator said the documentary glorified the activities of bandits and undermined national security.

In a statement, Trust TV said that the documentary was in the public interest as it provided insights into the “intersection of injustice, ethnicity and bad governance as drivers of the conflict,” and its consequences for citizens .

That same year the government also threatened to sanction the BBC for airing a documentary about bandit warlords.

The NBC stated again that the documentary “glorified” the activities of bandits and undermined national security.

In May 2024, Nigerian police arrested Daniel Ojukwu, an investigative journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, after he reported on a government official’s alleged financial misconduct. He spent nine days in detention.

“The average Nigerian journalist is afraid of coming in the way of security agents and agencies and most importantly, the majority of them are aware of national security concerns,” said journalist Charles Otu.

He noted that government authorities have used national security as an excuse to make it harder for journalists to carry out their reporting.

Meanwhile, the country’s cybercrime law, updated earlier this year, continues to be used as a tool to crack down on journalists critical of government policies. Among other provisions, the law stipulates imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 5 million naira (US$3,000), or both, for individuals who access data “vital  to national security” from a computer without authorization.

Holding conversations and dialogues

In August, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, an investigative media nonprofit, held its monthly “Journalism & Society Conversations” which brought together stakeholders to discuss press freedom challenges, media legislation and regulatory frameworks, and the pivotal role investigative journalism plays in holding the government accountable – especially at a time when Nigerian journalists are facing harassment and detention from the government.

“Most governments hide under national security to intimidate, harass, arrest and surmount the press,” said Sarah Ayeku, a senior correspondent at a private broadcaster, TVC News.

“We’ve always seen some sort of rivalry between the government and the press.”

It’s important, Ayeku noted, that newsrooms be able to report freely without governmental interference. “We cannot always have the media and the government and the media at loggerheads which we have seen in the past months,” she said.

“When we take a look at what free press should be in a democratic, normal setting, we should be able to report freely and access information without restrictions.”

Otu noted that the media’s efforts to hold government actors to account must take into account legal realities and considerations, for their own safety and wellbeing.

“Due to the multi-dimensional roles of journalists, there’s a need for training and retraining of media practitioners to understand where their rights begin and stop, especially on issues that concern national security,” he suggested.