He insisted that the 0.5% levy will only be paid by banks and other financial institutions, telecommunication outlets, insurance companies and the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
He said further:
“The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has been disturbed by the recent hullabaloo over the cybersecurity levy recently announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria which some unscrupulous elements deliberately distorted by spreading false, unfounded and baseless allegation that individual Nigerians were required to pay the cybersecurity levy. This is a lie from the pit of Jahannam.
“According to Section 42(a) of the Cybercrime Act 2024 the 0.5% levy is actually meant for banks and other financial institutions, telecommunication outlets, insurance companies and the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Unfortunately those who have some axe to grind with the Tinubu administration saw it as an opportunity to incite Nigerians against the Federal Government (FG). That was why they spread the false information that individuals will have to pay the cybersecurity levy. This is far from the truth.
“MURIC strongly condemns this attempt to cause disaffection, distrust and pandemonium in the country using misinformation, disinformation, provocation and outright incitement of Nigerians against the Federal Government (FG). This action smirks of desperation, recklessness and irresponsibility on the part of critics, detractors, the opposition and any other group or groups that may be behind the falsification.
“In particular, the disinformation embarked upon in the last 24 hours in which it was claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had ordered the discontinuation of the cybersecurity levy (https://dailypost.ng/2024/05/
“These actions are marks of a desperate opposition ready to use all means, fair and foul, moral and immoral, legal and illegal, to get what it wants, namely, to take over the reins of governance through unconstitutional means.
“Like Niccolo Machiavelli, the Italian philosopher (1469 – 1527), those behind this disgraceful scheme believe that the end justifies the means, including the needless and wasteful sacrifice of the lives of Nigerians whose deaths are likely to guaranteeing ccur in the ensuing chaos.
“MURIC is not allergic to criticism if it is objective. It adds luster to governance in a multiparty democracy. Criticism is acceptable so long as it is constructive but what we are seeing these days from some members of the opposition is archaic and bohemian.
“We warn Nigerians not to fall for these unconventional manoeuvres. Those who instigate the citizens against a legitimate and purposeful government through luciferous manipulations and rabid, hydrophobic lies capable of making Joseph Goebbels (1897 – 1945, Adolf Hitler’s professional liar) turn in his grave are incapable of guaranteeing free speech, mature and responsible leadership, transparency, probity and accountability if Nigerians make the mistake of making them their leaders come 2027.
“Nigerians must reject anarchists and shameless liars. The need for Nigerians to apply some caveat to the false propaganda being rolled out by some elements in the opposition is sine qua non to a healthy democratic heritage, a peaceful environment plus the attendant economic growth and political stability.
“That caveat can be achieved through careful screening and cross-checking of information to enable us separate the wheat from the chaff, fake news from genuine information, liars and agent provocateur from a truthful and responsible government.
“Just as the Glorious Qur’an warns Muslim faithfuls to beware of bearers of false information, ‘If an ungodly person brings any news to you, you must investigate its veracity so that your next action will not hurt the innocent and you will regret that action’ (Qur’an 49:6), the Bible also implores Christians to ‘Investigate