CBN Governor and Bank CEOs Summoned Over Unregulated POS Operations

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, alongside the Chief Executive Officers of commercial banks in Nigeria, has been summoned by the House of Representatives to address the pressing issue of unverified Point of Sale (POS) operators in the country.

Why the Summons?

This decision, made during Wednesday’s plenary session, followed a motion raised by John Okafor, the representative of Ehime/Mbano/Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency in Imo State. Okafor highlighted the growing risks associated with the lack of proper documentation for POS operators and users, which has made the system vulnerable to fraudulent activities.

Concerns Raised

The lawmaker emphasized that the absence of verifiable identities for POS users and operators creates loopholes in the financial system, facilitating crimes such as:

• Identity theft
• Money laundering
• Unauthorized transactions

These challenges threaten the integrity of Nigeria’s financial transactions, prompting the need for immediate action.

Proposed Solutions

Okafor proposed several measures to mitigate these risks, including:

1. Mandatory Documentation: Requiring POS operators and users to provide valid identification during transactions to foster accountability.
2. Enhanced Transparency: Establishing a system to trace transactions back to individuals, ensuring fraudulent activities are easily detected and prosecuted.
3. Regulatory Compliance: Aligning POS operations with both national and international financial standards, particularly anti-money laundering and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.

Strengthening Financial Security

By enforcing these measures, Okafor believes Nigeria can significantly reduce the incidence of financial crimes. He stressed the urgency of implementing these solutions to protect citizens from criminal exploitation via the POS system.

Next Steps

The House expects the CBN Governor and the bank CEOs to present actionable strategies to address these issues. Their response will play a crucial role in shaping policies that enhance the security and accountability of POS operations in Nigeria.

By addressing these concerns, the House aims to ensure safer financial transactions and restore trust in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

READ ALSO: