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Tag: internet

  • Internet usage on GSM networks increase to 81m – NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), says the number of internet users on the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) networks has increased from 76,322, 802 in 2014 to 81,892,840 by January 2015.

    This is contained in the NCC Monthly Internet Subscriber Data, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

    According to the data, there is an increase of 5,570,038 internet users on the networks in January.

    It showed that from the 81,892,840 internet users recorded in January, MTN Nigeria led the table with 39,173,123 customers browsing the internet on its network.

    It stated that MTN had an increase of 556,386 internet subscribers in January, after it recorded 38,616,737 users in the month of December 2014.

    According to the data, Globacom is second on the internet usage table, recording 17,671,405 subscribers surfing the net with its network in January.

    The data revealed that Globacom gained a total of 532,085 additional internet users on its network, up from 17,139,320 users in December 2014.

    Airtel Nigeria, it said was third on the roll with 14,969,924 internet users in January, as against 14,371,987 customers recorded in December.

    The data showed that internet users on the Airtel Nigeria network also increased by 597,937 in January.

    It disclosed that Etisalat was last on the table with 10,078,388 of its customers browsing the internet in January, compared to the 6,194,758 users in December, an increase of 3,883,630 users.

    The NCC data also revealed that the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators (Multi-Links and Visafone) had a joint total of 153,798 internet users on their networks in January.

    It showed, however, that the only surviving two CDMA networks in the country listed a loss of 526 internet subscribers in the month under review from the 154,324 users they recorded in December.

    The data stated that Visafone recorded a decrease of 311 customers surfing the internet in January, reducing the number to 153,059 compared to the 153,370 users in the month of December.

    It said that Multi-Links had 739 internet users in January, hence losing 215 customers from the December record of 954 users.

    The data further showed that in spite of the decrease on the part of the CDMA networks, Nigerians were gradually embracing data as the next revolution in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

     

  • Protecting kids from evils of internet

    HELLO Harriet, I am worried about my children and their use of the internet. Please, give us tips on ways to protect our children from the evils of the internet. Thanks.  Mrs. Akinola, Lagos.

    Children this day live their lives on the internet, especially the youths, through mobile phones, laptops, desktops, ipads and game consoles.  Don’t get me wrong. The use of the internet has its advantage and disadvantages. Homework and research in schools today are internet based. The use of  the internet has helped a lot in the communication, education and entertainment areas. But it can also pose as a dangerous zone for children because it exposes children to disturbing images and information, sexual abuse, verbal abuse and cyber bulling. Cyber bulling is a form of bulling that occurs, using electronic devices whether on gaming sites ( children playing internet games with other people who are connected) or on  mobile phones, social network sites,  text messages and chats. It could be a mean text message or e-mail, rumours posted on social networking sites and embarrassing pictures or videos. The effect can be devastating for children and youths. The sad part is that in most cases, it can be very difficult to trace the bully. If it is a picture that has been sent, it is always very difficult to delete.   The internet is such a big and open world that anybody can input anything in it. As a result, a lot of children have been hurt. Some are experiencing cyber bulling, sexual abuse and verbal abuse at present. Trust me, the motive of parents in providing these gadgets is to aid children and not to harm them. So, it is our responsibility to know how to keep them safe on line. Some parents feel they don’t really understand how the internet works and that their children know more than them, forgetting that technology changes on a day-to-day basis and the best way to stay informed is to get involved (understand the internet and how it works). Sometimes sit with your children, tell them to show you what they are doing and how it works.

    There are some safety guides that parents should discuss with their children on the use of internet. Home boundaries on the use of internet must be put in place. State it in clear terms to the children the sites they can visit and the ones that they are not allowed to visit when they are online. The cyber bulling should be talked about seriously because the best way to avoid or stop bullying on line is actually working together with your children by encouraging them to tell you once somebody starts bulling them. Encourage your children to block the bullies, or delete their contacts, but not to destroy the evidence, if it is a text message, in case they have to trace the identity of the bully. If the bully is from a school, it will be easy for the authority to take action.  For younger children, the internet should not be installed in their phones until they are older. The home desktop or lap top should be place in an open place in the house for easy checks, while occasionally parents should ask for their children’s laptops and ipads to see the sites their children have been visiting.  Assure and support your children, show them love, so they don’t start seeking love on the internet, especially the ones who go on the internet to socialise. Explain to them that there are many who pretend to be what they are not. Tell them they are in chat rooms and online games. As a result, they should be very careful of the people they add as friends and be mindful of the information they share out there.  Educate them about friends online; they should not accept a friend’s friend as their friend online. Remind your children to think before putting out their pictures, videos, or comments on the internet because anyone can have access to it. All their activities are put out there for everyone to read and this is dangerous. The way forward is for parents to keep talking to their children about the danger out there on the internet, so a collaborating conversation will help to keep children safe on the internet.

    Furthermore, make sure that your children understand that they should never arrange to see any one they only know on the internet. Discourage them from chatting with strangers. Parents should talk to their children about relationship, so that when they stumble on pornographic images on the internet, they will understand that it is not applicable in the real world. In spite of the above, parents can also install child protection/ parental control devices on their children’s computers in order to block certain sites that are inappropriate. These sites can be downloaded on the internet for free:

    Norton online family: This is free software that allows parents monitor the websites their children visit, as well as what they search for online and who they chat with. Parents can have a time set for children on how long they can be on line, and even see all their children’s activities and e-mails.

    Windows live family safety: This is Microsoft’s free parental control software; it is part of windows live essentials package that includes MSM messenger and Microsoft’s webmail client. Users can block specific sites and applications, as well as controlling how long their children can use the computers.

    AVG family safety: This software allows parents to create profiles for each child; it can also be adjusted as the child gets older. The software blocks inappropriate content like pornographic sites and so on.  Others are K9 Web Protection 4.0.296, PG Surfer.

    Finally, as parents, we should work close with the school because it is important that we know the policy they have in place on the use of technology in school. The safety of our children on the internet must be emphasised both at home and in school.

     

    Harriet Ogbobine is a counselor and a motivational speaker. Send your questions and suggestions to her on bineharriet@gmail.com or txt message only 08023058805. You can also follow her on twitter; @bineharriet.

  • ComTech minister sees local content driving internet

    ComTech minister sees local content driving internet

    Communication Technology Minister, Dr Omobola Johnson, has identified local content as the future driver of internet penetration in the country, adding that over-reliance on YouTube and other such channels will not do the magic.

    Speaking as a panelist at the Ericson and Alliance for Affordable Internet (a4ai), programme at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, she said: “What will drive the internet is relevant, local content. The most visited sites in Nigeria are the job and the news sites, not social media.”

    The minister’s position  contrasted with that of other panel members gathered from across the world that saw the social network channels as doing magic.

    Executive Director, a4ai, Sonia Jorge, in her presentation said Nigeria’s improved performance was buoyed by a strong leadership and regulation of the industry, robust broadband strategy, effective competition in the telecoms sector, efficient spectrum allocation, universal access to rural and underserved population, and infrastructure sharing, among others.

    Dr Johnson said the decision of the Nigerian government to create the Communication Technology Ministry underscored the importance attached to ICT as critical to economic growth and job creation.

    In the report of the research, Jorge explained: “Nigeria comes second in the Affordability Index’s ranking of developing economies – scoring higher than other African developing economies such as Kenya, Morocco and Uganda, and higher even than some emerging economies, including Mexico, South Africa, Thailand and Tunisia. The backbone infrastructure in Nigeria has improved significantly over the last decade, with multiple players, including Phase 3, Glo 1, Suburban Telecom, Multilink and MTN, building fibre networks that crisscross the country. Nigeria’s regulator, the Nigerian Communication Commission, plans to award seven licenses to regional infrastructure companies to extend broadband infrastructure nationally. The first two of these were awarded early in the year to MainOne and HIS Communications to provide services in Lagos and Northcentral states.

  • Internet skills vital to MSMEs’ growth, says group

    Internet skills vital to MSMEs’ growth, says group

    Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) has said the shift in traditional business to online commerce has made the acquisition of online skill an indispensable tool for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

    Its Head, Marketing Communications, Success Nmerife, who spoke during the maiden edition of a special workshop for MSMEs in Lagos, said the workshop was designed to introduce them to solutions and methods they could employ to maximise the benefits that the internet affords in growing their business.

    According to her, the paradigm shift in the global focus from traditional business model to online commerce has made the utilisation of the electronic platfrom in business promotion and sales an indispensable tool for merchants.

    The free online technology workshop had Learn How to Set-up, Operate and Advertise Your Own Store Online aimed at equipping business owners with the skills they require to take their business to the online community by operating an online store and selling to people other than those in their immediate physical community.

    Speaking at the event, Business Manager, Openshopen, Adriana De la Cruz Duffo, said Openshopen has been uniquely designed to respond to the challenges of online trading encountered by MSMEs in the Nigerian business environment.

    She said: “Openshopen is easy to use, cheap and profitable. It addresses the fears of payment gateway security. It also takes care of the logistics of delivery. It is a platform you as merchants can adopt, if you want your business to grow.”

    During the workshop, merchants were taken through three training sessions. In the first session, Head, Innovation, CWG, Mr. Tayo Oduwole, introduced the Openshopen online platform to the participants. He said: “CWG’s partnership with Openshopen to introduce the eCommerce platform is in line with our vision to enable Nigerian merchants acquire business enabling technology without incurring business killing own-infrastructure costs”.

    He said Openshopen differs from other online shopping platforms in that it allows merchants sell directly to buyers and have the privilege of promoting their brands. Unlike other platforms that require merchants to submit their wares for sale. “With Openshopen, you can sell your brand alongside your products, such that people can look for you if they want your products again,” he added.

    Mr. Oduwole took participants through step by step procedure of opening a store online with the privilege of creating their own store, each having their unique web address, corporate logo and products for display. Partcipants were taught the basics of promoting their business using various social media platforms.

    Chief Technology Officer, CWG, Mr. James Agada, who presented certificates to participants at the workshop, said the workshop served as one of CWG’s ways of contributing towards the growth of SMEs in the country, creating employment and contributing to the growth of the nation’s economy. He urged the participants to utilise the knowledge they have acquired from the workshop.

    The participants expressed their gratitude to CWG for the privilege of the workshop. Most of the attendees indicated that the workshop has been of immense benefit to them. Commenting on the workshop, Mr. and Mrs. Yemi Adeyemo, Directors at House of Treasures, observed “In fact, the workshop was worth the while, the lectures were extensive and the speakers were very good. We have learnt a lot that we will like to put them into use as soon as we get back home.”

  • ‘High Internet penetration will boost SMEs productivity’

    ‘High Internet penetration will boost SMEs productivity’

    As technology continues to shape the interaction between businesses and consumers; stakeholders believe that increased broadband connectivity will impact greatly on Nigeria’s economy.

    Speaking recently on the Mara Mentor Talk Show,Mr. Olayinka Oni, Chief Technology Officer Microsoft Nigeria, said “people will get a lot more with broadband technology, especially through ecommerce which is said to contribute about 7% to Nigeria’s GDP.”

    In a recent report published by Ericsson Mobility, mobile broadband is becoming prominent in Sub-Saharan Africa as the region grows more reliant on mobile devices and society embraces mobility. And as Nigeria continue to lead other sub-Saharan countries, despite the challenges with broadband connectivity; Oni thinks SMEs will be more productive with increased internet penetration.

    Currently buoyed by soaring internet penetration and mobile adoption rates, business in Nigeria’s vibrant ICT sector, is championed by innovative young entrepreneurs leveraging on unique advantages of IT infrastructure despite challenges in running the business.

    According to Microsoft Nigeria’s CTO, “Technology is here to stay. It will continue to shape businesses.”

    He thus advised business owners to acquaint themselves with technologies that would grow their businesses, while keeping an eye on online consumer behavior and the latest trends in ICT.

    Considering the tight capital for startups, Oni also urged young entrepreneurs to leverage on new trends in technology, i.e. social media platforms, email marketing, online data and collaborative tools to drive growth and cut overheads.

    On adoption of cloud technology, he advised that SMEs take precaution and use genuine software.

     

  • ‘SMEs will be more productive when Internet awareness grows’

    Technology has continued to shape the interaction between businesses and consumers just as much has been said about the implication of increased broadband connectivity on Nigeria’s economy.

    Speaking on the Mara Mentor Talk Show, Mr. Olayinka Oni, Chief Technology Officer Microsoft Nigeria, said “people will get a lot more with broadband technology, especially through ecommerce, which is said to contribute about 7% to Nigeria’s GDP,” as he reiterated the implication of increased broadband penetration to the country’s economy.

    In a recent report published by Ericsson Mobility, mobile broadband is becoming prominent in Sub-Saharan Africa as the region grows more reliant on mobile devices and society embraces mobility. And as Nigeria continue to lead other sub-Saharan countries; despite the challenges with broadband connectivity, Mr. Oni thinks SMEs will be more productive with increased Internet penetration.

    Currently buoyed by soaring internet penetration and mobile adoption rates, business in Nigeria’s vibrant ICT sector, is championed by innovative young entrepreneurs leveraging on unique advantages of IT infrastructure despite challenges in running an Business.

    According to Microsoft Nigeria’s CTO, “Technology is here to stay. It will continue to shape businesses.” He thus advised business owners to acquaint themselves with technologies that would grow their businesses, while keeping an eye on online consumer behavior and the latest trends in ICT.

    Considering the tight purses of startups, Mr Oni also urged young entrepreneurs to leverage on new trends in technology, i.e. social media platforms, email marketing, online data and collaborative tools to drive growth and cut overheads.

    On adoption of cloud technology, he advised that SMEs take precaution and use genuine software.

     

  • Business educators seek regulation of internet

    The Association of Business Educators of Nigeria (ABEN), has urged the government to regulate the use of internet and social media through adequate legislation.

    This, according to the association, would reduce internet fraud and other social vices, especially among Nigerian youth.

    However, ABEN said this should be done without infringing on freedom and rights of citizens.

    In a communiqué signed by its  national president, Dr Titus Umoru at the end of the association’s 26th annual conference, the body also called on parents and guardians to monitor youngsters so that social media is employed for acquisition of knowledge rather than for engaging in vices.

    The communiqué reads in part: “The association calls on teachers, parents, governments and the larger society to come together to address problem of social vices, especially among youth. The cancer of corruption has been compounded by continued pervasiveness of other financial crimes, robbery, kidnapping, thuggery and political brigandage in the larger society.”

    If properly utilised, the association said the social media can serve as a platform for projecting business education.  It noted that Nigeria is moving towards a period when social media would hold centre stage in social-economic development and called on stakeholders to see Facebook and other social media as veritable instruments for social and economic changes anywhere in the world.

    Meanwhile, ABEN equally warned heads of institutions to stop cutting corners during accreditation exercises thereby deceiving accreditation teams about the quality and quantity of the facilities and human resources that they really have.

    The conference observed that business education facilities are inadequate in quality and quantum in most Nigerian institutions and often poorly maintained.

    It also urged the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to remove all barriers inhibiting legitimate access to funds for research, training and infrastructural development.

    ABEN also seeks an end to the frequent closure of tertiary institutions as they are concerned about its effect on the quality of training that business students receive.

    “The acquisition and mastery of business skills are not enhanced by spasmodic learning, but by intensive and continual engagement of learners with equipment and faculties. We thus call on all stakeholders to critically examine all contentious issues and reach agreement to ensure academic calendars are not continually disrupted,” the group said.

  • Where are internet capacities?

    Where are internet capacities?

    With many submarine cables in the country, it is expected that internet access will be smooth. But it is not so, despite the presence of Glo 1, MainOne, Sat 2 and other African Submarine Cables with landing points in Nigeria. Why is internet access hindered? LUCAS AJANAKU reports.

    Over the years, Director, Regulatory Affairs and Special Projects, Airtel Nigeria Osondu Nwokoro though a lawyer by profession, has become an expert in the information communication technology (ICT) space.

    So when he spoke on Policy and Regulatory Imperatives for Broadband Ubiquity in Lagos, everybody listened to him.

    Nwokoro defined broadband as the easier, faster and high speed internet access for data transmission and download, compared to traditional telephone and modem. Broadband supports real time internet radio, music, video, gaming, interactive services and others.

    He said the launch of the National Broadband Plan (NPB) 2013-2018 by the Federal Government is consistent with developments in other juris dictions, adding that it is a step in the right direction and showed government’s commitment to pursue a broadband agenda for the country.

    The Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP) defines ‘broadband as an internet experience where the user can access the most demanding content in real time at a minimum speed of 1.5megabytes per second (MBPS).’

    He said with six per cent broadband penetration in the country, it is both a challenge and an opportunity to meet the goal of realising a five-fold increase in broadband penetration by 2017.

    According to him the Broadband Commission for Digital Development charges that “access to broadband infrastructure and services must therefore be a top policy priority for countries around the globe, developed and developing alike as well as least developed countries,” adding that commission urges “governments and business to work together to develop innovative policy frameworks, business models and financing arrangements needed to facilitate growth in access to broadband worldwide.

    “We could not agree less with the statement in the NBP that the “the implementation of a NBP requires long-term commitment and significant action by federal, states and local governments, as well as, the executive and legislative branches of government – alongside strong private sector participation.

    Speaking on impact on the economy, he said wireless broadband is expected to contribute an additional N190billion to gross domestic product (GDP) next year while wireless broadband will have a direct revenue impact (spend on usage and devices) of N598billon or 0.7 per cent of GDP in next year.

    He added that its ecosystem value will be N124billion comprising consumer retail (m-commerce; m-Entertainment), financial services (m-banking), social services (m-learning, m-health, and m-governance) and corporate verticals (m-farming, m-enterprises, m-utilities).

    Wireless broadband will create N140billon of indirect value through productivity and efficiency gains in manufacturing, mining, industry, agric and services by next year.

    Head, Core Network Services, Cyberspace Network Limited, Osuere Peter said broadband is the totality that forms the entity for faster information delivery across a network. This network could either be digital subscriber line (DSL), fiber-optic, cable modem, satellite, wireless and broadband over powerlines (BPL).

    He said for internet and mobile banking, customers would be able carry on banking transaction activities via their fixed and mobile devices while e-commerce sites such as Konga, Jumia, olx have also emerged.

    It has also led to the provision of public services such as driver-license application, international passport, national ID card registration and e-government solutions, adding that the implementation of regulatory framework and policies to promote electronic transaction such as the Cashless Policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is also a great boost.

    According to the ambitious targets of the NBP, fixed broadband targets for cities (which is currently standing at 1.5per cent) expected to go up to 10 per cent next year in the short term, 16 per cent medium term of 2018 and long term target of 25 per cent by 2020. Penetration level which stands at 0.5per cent, will move up gradually to 3.3 per cent, 5.3 per cent and 8.3 per cent respectively.

    For national broadband targets, current level is 35 per cent while short term target is 60 per cent (2015). For medium term (2018), 80 per cent is targeted while 95 per cent is targeted by 2020 as long term target.

    Penetration currently is at six per cent. It is expected to go up steeply to 21 per cent; 42 per cent and 48 per cent respectively.

     

    Challenges

    The Nigerian broadband technology infrastructure has grown up to an appreciable level in some very specific places and at different degrees.

    According to Peter, while the growth is on, the industry is faced with a major challenge of the reliability of the services provided.

    This means e-business services being provided and the broadband technology infrastructure platform must both be reliable.

    Nwokoro said fixed infrastructure is not available in Nigeria and the cost and burden to put same in place is daunting. Wireless is the only viable option for broadband penetration.

    Another challenge is paucity of spectrum. According to him, NBP acknowledges the need for spectrum for mobile broadband and proposes to publish plan for freeing up spectrum for long term evolution (LTE) rollout this year, conduct licensing of 2.5/2.6gigahertz (GHz) spectrum and facilitate accelerated wireless infrastructure expansion and upgrade with operators.

    “Nigeria remains at risk of not meeting International Telecommunications Union (ITU’s) 2015 timeline for analogue broadcast switch off.  Without concerted action by the country to address the delayed implementation of analogue-digital broadcast switchover earlier scheduled for June 2012, the NBP proposals remains at risk,” he warned, adding that the 700/800 megahertz (MHz) digital dividend and 2.5/2.6GHz spectrum availability could be delayed till 2016 or beyond.

    Another issue is that of right of way (RoW) permits and other planning approval processes and associated charges between different ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) at federal, state & local levels remain a strong disincentive for infrastructure development.

    Though NBP proposes to secure RoW waivers with states and also pursue expedited RoWs. achieving this goal between the three tiers of government remains a daunting challenge.

    Other challenges are device ownership and access points which are key to adoption and utilisation.

    He said: “The NBP proposes to challenge OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to produce sub $30 access devices to reduce cost of ownership and thus facilitate uptake by the broader subscriber base.

    “NBP also proposes to deploy local access points (in NIPOST premises and local government, (LG) Headquarters) to facilitate access within 2km for people who cannot afford own access devices.”

    He added that in spite of all the promises of the market size, major OEMs are unwilling to site assembly plants in the country for device manufacture because of unstable electricity supply, intellectual property rights issues and obstacles in the business environment.

     

    Way forward

    Mandate should be given to the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) to articulate a spectrum roadmap to address timely availability, cost-effective pricing and licensing of the 700/800 MHz Digital Dividend spectrum band to support mobile broadband penetration.

    Another is resuscitation of the NFMC and expansion of its membership to incorporate private sector representation.

    Nwokoro said consideration should be given to the 900 MHz and 2.5/2.6 GHz spectrum re-farming to support mobile broadband on LTE while spectrum policy and regulation to support flexibility must be put in place to support regional integration.

    Transition to a converged regulatory and spectrum environment by the merger of NCC and NBC consistent with international best practice is another plausible solution.

    Peter stressed the need to have quality data centres in the country while efforts must be made to have solutions that could bring together independent broadband technology platforms to function as a single unit

    He said: “We must move to monitor and measure the protection policies for infrastructures. We must have business boundaries. Accelerated growth and development comes as a result of subscriber satisfaction and loyalty. This could only be achieved by service and broadband technology reliability.”

  • Experts chart way for internet governance

    Experts chart way for internet governance

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MainOne, Funke Opeke, was among global policy makers, international organisations and other global internet stakeholders in Istanbul, Turkey last week that discussed Policies enabling  access, growth and development on the Internet.

    The Ninth Annual Internet Governance Forum conference with the theme “Connecting continents for enhanced multi-stakeholder Internet governance” was a collaborative effort under the guidance of the United Nations (UN) for stakeholders from various regions to engage in policy dialogues on the future of the Internet.

    Ms. Opeke spoke at a panel that included the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, United States Government, Amb. Daniel Sepulveda; the Commissioner for Digital Agenda and President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Neelie Kroes; Deputy Director-General, United Nations Educational Scientific, Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Getachew Engida.

    The session brought forth diverse experiences from both developed and developing countries on policies that have worked to enhance digital inclusion to drive growth and development. A critical consensus was formed on the need for deeper collaboration between the private and public sectors, and users on the implementation of strategies to enhance global internet access for the world’s four billion unconnected individuals.

    Dr. Johnson, opened the session with a brief presentation of Nigeria’s broadband plan and the drive to increase fiber rollout and to make more spectrum available to drive broadband rollout, while Ms. Opeke  highlighted other developments in open access networks in Nigeria, as well as her firm’s Data Centre under construction in Lagos as a booster for local content.

    In particular, the panel took a keen interest to the film industry Nollywood and the role the Data Centre could play in distributing that content via the Internet.

    Speaking at the panel session, MainOne’s chief executive officer said: “We realise that Internet Access can improve economic outcomes for the large youth population that we have in Nigeria.’’

    ‘’Delivering affordable Internet services to more of our youths will make a critical difference in our economic development and deserves the Industry’s utmost attention.”

    Ms. Opeke  noted that MainOne has been at the forefront of enabling affordable Internet Access in West Africa with investments in the growth of the local Internet Economy, stressing that participation in  Internet Governance further reinforces that commitment.

  • UNILAG don sues eight banks for alleged internet fraud

    A University of Lagos (UNILAG) don, Dr. Oluwatosin Sanu has sued eight commercial banks for alleged internet fraud on her bank accounts.

    In a writ of summon filed by her counsel, Prof. Akin Ibidapo Obe before a Lagos High Court, Dr. Sanu, who is an associate professor and Consultant Orthodontist in the Faculty of Dental Sciences at University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH), is  asking for  N55,050,237.54 being special general and exemplary damages for alleged negligence in the handling of her two bank accounts with the first defendant bank.

    The claimant  also asked the court for  cost of the action which she assessed at N2million.

    The claimant alleged that the negligence on her account by the first defendant bank resulted in unauthorised withdrawals of N3,050,237.54 from her two accounts through the internet and unauthorised payments into beneficiary accounts domiciled in the eight defendant banks.

    The claimant also prayed the court for interest to be calculated on the lost sum  at the prevailing rate as from September 6, last year to the date of judgment.

    The defendants bank include United Bank for Africa Plc, Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Diamond Bank of Nigeria Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Enterprise Bank Plc, Access Bank of Nigeria Plc and Stanbic IBTC Bank.

    The writ of summons is supported by a 49-paragraph statement of claim and a 70-paragraph affidavit made on oath in support of the statement of claims.

    She alleged that 20 unauthorised  withdrawals totaling  N2,580,693.25 was made from her current account with the first defendant, number 1002717118 between September 3 and September 6, last year.

    She further alleged that eight unauthorised  withdrawals totaling  N469,134 was also made from her Gold Savings  account with the first defendant, number 2060668002 between August 23, 2013 and September 5, 2013.

    The claimant averred in the statement of claim that following a petition on the matter dated October 30, last year,  made to the Nigerian Police, a thorough investigation was conducted into the alleged internet fraud on her two accounts.

    The Police, she claimed issued a report ascribing the loss to negligence and collusion of the first defendant’s servants.

    The claimant stated that on August 10, last year, she travelled to United States for a conference and vacation and that while there, received a call from her daughter, Dr. Sope Akeredolu, informing her that her bank account officer at the first defendant’s bank, Mr. Olatunbosun Alakija had been trying to reach her on phone without success.

    She said that when he eventually got through to her on telephone, she was told that there were purported “transactions” going on in her bank accounts but that no details was given.

    She claimed to have repudiated the transactions as not coming from her, more so that her cheque book and ATM card were with her in the US.

    On her return from the US, she met with her account officer and branch manager, Mrs. Patricia Ozukwe.

    She said she was told that a total transfer of N3,050,237.54 had been made on her account to various purported beneficiary accounts through the bank’s internet banking transaction.

    The claimant alleged that the first defendant breached the duty of care owed her and was negligent in the management of her accounts when it facilitated such huge withdrawals without her knowledge and authorisation.

    According to her, the first defendant or its internet banking officer ought prudently and reasonably to have contacted her through telephone,sms or electronic mail for her authorisation of the internet withdrawals, particularly where huge sum was withdrawn from her two accounts through multiple transactions in one day.

    For instance, she said N650,850.50 was withdrawn from her current account in six transactions on September 4, last year; that N660,992.25 was withdrawn from the same account in seven separate internet transactions in one day on September 5, last year while in her Gold savings account, a sum of N451,567 was withdrawn in four transactions on August 23, last year, among other internet withdrawals.

    The claimant averred that contrary to the statement of the accounts, the report of the Customer Fulfillment Centre(CFC) did not capture some of the purported withdrawal transactions.

    The claimant said she wrote a formal letter of complaint dated September 17, last year to the manager of the Idi-Araba branch of the first defendant, repudiating the unauthorised purported transactions on her two accounts and asked for the reinstatement of the funds but  that nothing was done on her request for refund.

    She claimed that her solicitor also wrote to the managing director of the first defendant, copied the Idi-Araba branch, on the issue on September 26  consequent upon which the first defendant implored the claimant’s counsel to stay action on the matter pending investigation into the allegations.                     She averred that on October 3, last year, the service manager of the first defendant, one Mr. Johnson Onyiriuka rather sent an electronic mail directly to her that her “issue” (complaint) had been “closed”, adding that the first defendant breached its duty of care owed her by sending the said electronic mail dated October 3.

    It said the email communication of the Service Manager caused the claimant to needlessly undergo pain, suffering and trauma that her loss was irreversible, adding that it was also “deliberate and contrived to intimidate the claimant into abject submission and to accept her “fate”.

    She averred that her counsel again attempted to work out an amicable resolution by writing another letter dated October 28, last year to the Manager of the Audit and Compliance unit of the first defendant requesting him to intervene but that no response had been received from the unit up till date.

    She said the development informed the petition sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Panti  to investigate the matter.

    The court is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the suit.