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Scientists develop Robot Judge that can give verdict on legal cases

Scientists have built an artificially intelligence,(AI) computer that
was able to look at legal evidence as well as considering ethical
questions to decide how a case should be decided. And it predicted
those with 79 per cent accuracy, according to its creators.


The AI judge has accurately predicted most verdicts of the European
Court of Human Rights, and might soon be making important decisions
about cases.

The algorithm looked at data sets made up 584 cases relating to
torture and degrading treatment, fair trials and privacy. The computer
was able to look through that information and make its own decision –
which lined up with those made by Europe's most senior judges in
almost every case.

The researchers say that the computer judge isn't likely to take the
place of judges any time soon. But it could be used to help them out –
prioritising cases that are clearly important or need to be heard, for
instance.

Lead researcher Dr Nikolaos Aletras, from University College London,
said: "We don't see AI replacing judges or lawyers, but we think
they'd find it useful for rapidly identifying patterns in cases that
lead to certain outcomes.

"It could also be a valuable tool for highlighting which cases are
most likely to be violations of the European Convention on Human
Rights."

The researchers found during the creation of the programme that the
European Court of Human Rights judges tended to look more at non-legal
factors than the strictly legal arguments made in the case. In law,
that puts the judges in the camp of "realists" rather than
"formalists" and fits with other courts like the US Supreme Court.

The developers were able to use information like that to find that the
court's decisions relied largely on the kind of language used, as well
as what topics were mentioned in the court texts.

Co-author Dr Dimitrios Tsarapatsanis, a law lecturer from the
University of Sheffield, said: "The study, which is the first of its
kind, corroborates the findings of other empirical work on the
determinants of reasoning performed by high level courts.

"It should be further pursued and refined, through the systematic
examination of more data."

UCL computer scientist Dr Vasileios Lampos added: "Previous studies
have predicted outcomes based on the nature of the crime, or the
policy position of each judge, so this is the first time judgements
have been predicted using analysis of text prepared by the court.

"We expect this sort of tool would improve efficiencies of high level,
in demand courts, but to become a reality, we need to test it against
more articles and the case data submitted to the court."

The findings are published in the journal PeerJ Computer Science

Curled from www.independent.co.uk

Be a Better Writer: Detect Plagiarism and Correct Errors with ‘Grammarly’

As interesting as writing can be, finding errors in a document can be
really disappointing to your readers, especially when your work
depends largely on preparing documents. Even if your writing or typing
is for academic purpose, submitting with errors could change your
intended meaning sometimes. Whether you are typing, writing at home,
work or school, for a personal, official or academic purpose, this
Google Chrome extension is a most have tool.

Grammarly is a writing application which corrects hundreds of complex
writing errors. It was built by linguistics and language lovers which
are the world's leading automated proofreader that checks for more
than 250 types of spelling grammar, punctuation errors. It enhances
vocabulary usage and suggests citation.

It is an online grammar and spelling checker that improves
communication by helping users find and correct writing mistakes. The
application covers all aspects of grammar, from punctuation to style.
Plagiarism detection tools are also added so the user can locate any
'borrowed' text before it gets them into a bad situation. Grammarly
also makes suggestions to improve wording to make sentences more
interesting to read.

The software can also help users locate words that are spelled
correctly but not utilised in the right context. Grammarly is entirely
web based, so the user does not have to download any kind of spell
check tools. The plagiarism checker includes an automated reference
creator. The web-based tool includes unique grammar checker such as
dangling modifiers, faulty parallelism, comma splices, run-on
sentences and subject.

Grammarly was introduced in February of 2010 and was designed to
provide users with an automated grammar checker tool. The company is
currently based in Seattle, Washington. The concept was intended to
produce an automated system that worked just like a human spellchecker
would. An academic version is available called Grammarly EDU and is
currently used by more than 300,000 students.

What makes Grammarly so appealing is the detail and depth it offers
users as it can find very specific issues that a basic grammar and
spellchecker would have missed. The Grammarly website welcomes users
with a textured, light blue header and white background. The homepage
includes the stylish Grammarly logo, which includes the site name with
a book and blue pencil hovering over the "G." The application itself
is very easy to use and provides users with a clean interface in blue
and silver. Other colors are used to highlight issues in text and
large, round buttons allow the user to begin a review, copy, paste,
cut or clear text.

A new user can try Grammarly without an account. To get the full
benefit of the application the user can register by clicking the "Sign
Up" link in the upper, right-hand corner of the homepage. The short
form on the next page asks for a name, email address (which will be
the account username) and preferred password. The user is also asked
what would be the mostly use the application for (the answer can be
chosen from a drop-down box). After submitting the information, the
user is asked to select a membership plan and payment method. New
users are given access for free for seven days.

Grammarly is helpful for anyone who writes regularly. Users can turn
to Grammarly as a personal grammar checking tool, Students and
teachers can also use Grammarly to improve their work. The application
is easy to use and works with many types of writing, whether you're
writing emails, essays, or social media posts; Gmail, Facebook,
Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn, and nearly anywhere else you write on the
web.Grammarly is the world's most accurate grammar checker.

Grammarly is trusted by students, professional writers, business
people, bloggers, and people who just want to write better. No matter
what your writing situation is, Grammarly adapts to your needs, giving
you the confidence of mistake-free writing every time you write.

--TheNation

Nigeria’s internet users stand at 94m – NCC

Internet users on Nigeria's telecommunications networks increased to
93,591,174 as at August 2016, the Nigerian Communications Commission
(NCC) has said.

The regulatory body made this known in its monthly Internet Subscriber
Data, which was obtained on Saturday in Lagos.

The data showed that internet usage on the Global System for Mobile
communications (GSM) and the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
networks increased by 167,819

It also said that 93,423,355 subscribers used the internet in July,
rising to 93,591,174 in August.

The data showed that of the 93,591,174 internet users in August,
93,524,398 were on the GSM networks, while 66,776 used the CDMA.

Of the 93,591,174 internet users on the GSM networks in the month
under review, the document showed that MTN Nigeria had 32,771,259
customers browsing on its network.

It stated that MTN suffered a decrease of 561,236 internet subscribers
in August, after it recorded 33,332,495 users in the month of July.

According to the report, Globacom has 26,984,974 customers browsing on
the internet in August, showing an increase of 164,098 from its July's
record of 26,820,876.

It also said Airtel Nigeria network recorded a rise of users with
18,519,233 internet users in the month of August, as against
17,910,307 customers in July.

The records further showed that Airtel Nigeria network users increased
by 608,926 in the month of August.

The data also showed that Etisalat had 15,248,932 internet users in
August as against the 15,274,493 in July, recording a decrease of
25,561 users in the month under review.

It also revealed that the CDMA operators (Multi-Links and Visafone),
had a joint total of 66,776 internet users on their networks in
August.

The record further showed that the two surviving CDMA networks in the
country recorded a decrease of 18,408 internet subscribers in the
month under review, from the 85,184 users they recorded in July.

Visafone had 66,772 customers surfing the internet in August, showing
a reduction of 18,408 users from its July record of 85,180 while
Multi-Links maintained the four internet users it recorded in July.

The report revealed the need for more Nigerians to embrace the
internet to speed up the country's progress towards achieving 30 per
cent broadband penetration by 2018.

--PNNews

Imo state gov't commences issuance of new designed Certificate of Occupancy

The Imo state government has commenced the issuance of the new
designed Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to property owners in Imo
state.

The issuance was done during the official flag off of the signing of
the new Certificate of Occupancy at the Imo International Conference
Centre in Owerri the Imo state capital.

The Imo State governor Mr. Rochas Okorocha represented by the
Secretary to the State Government, George Eche says the new C of O
will put an end to land racketeering and forgery in the Ministry of
Lands and will in turn boost the Internally Generated Revenue of the
state government.

The Commissioner of Lands, Survey and Urban Planning Mr. Law Eberuo
also disclosed that the new C of O is cheaper to acquire as the
processes have also been simplified.

He further revealed that the state government through the Ministry of
Lands has also introduced digitalization of ministry to ensure proper
data analysis and enhance express search of documents in the ministry.

Symptoms That Shouldn't Be Ignored

There is no doubt that seeking medical attention early is a great way
of detecting and preventing many fatal conditions. Not all can afford
periodic medical checkup that's why paying close attention to our body
for new sensations is highly necessary.

While there are some ailments that can be solved ourselves like minor
aches and cold, certain symptoms indicates the need of urgent medical
attention. These symptoms might seem harmless but could be
catastrophic if not evaluated and treated quickly.

1.)Chest Pains

Whether sudden or persistence shouldn't be ignored especially
accompanied by sweating, pressure and shortness of breath, should be
evaluated by a medical professional. It doesnt automatically means
something is terribly wrong but in this case, it is always better case
than sorry as it could be an indicator of heart attack or even a blood
clot.

2.)Unexplainable Weight loss

This should never be over looked. A weight loss of 5% or more over a
relatively short period of time is a serious problem as this is one of
the biggest symptom of cancer. Other possibilities include diabetes,
depression, liver disease, overactive thyroid or malabsorption
disorders.

3.)Sudden Onset of extreme pain in your head

Particularly if it feels worse than any headaches you've had before.
It could mean different things.

4.)Sudden Confusion, inability to concentrate or behaviour changes

Medical attention is definately needed. It could be an indicator of a
brain tumor, bleeding in brain, stroke or at the very least be a sign
of low blood sugar or dehydration.

5.)Shortness of breath

Some factors like extreme physical activity can cause this. If you
can't catch your breath for extended period of time especially if
accompanied with chest pain or gasping requires urgent medical
attention. It could be a sign of a blood clot or pulmonary disease.

6.)Persistent Fever or one that is abnormally high

Any fever more than 103 degree(103F or 39.4C) is very high. Fever
tells that your body is battling some kind of infection. A persistent
fever indicate a hidden infection. Possibilities include urinary tract
infection, meningitis or types of cancer like lymphomas or leukemia.

7.)Seeing flashes of light or oddities in your vision

Flashes could be presence of a large amount of floaters in your vision
which could be a sign of a detached retina. It could also be migraine.
It should be checked to avoid permanent loss of vision.

8.)Pelvis Pain

It could be sudden or sharp pain. Anyhow, you arent supposed to feel
any pain. This pain could be a sign of appendicitis, kidney infection,
hernia, nerve condition or possible broken pelvis incase of an injury.

9.)Excessive Urination

This could be a sign of diabetes, both type 1 and 2 or urinary tract
infection. It should be checked by a physician sooner than later.

10.)Unexplained changes in bowel habits.

Persistent diarrhea or constipation, bloody or black coloured stools,
etc, could be a signal of bacterial, viral or parasitic infection. It
could also be a sign of colon cancer.

11.)Serious and sudden pain in your stomach

It could be blood flows issues. If accompanied by nausea and vomiting,
could be a sign of painful gallstone. It must be examined by a medical
professional.

12.)Persistent Cough

We all get this once in a while but one that doesnt seem to go away
could be a kind of respiratory problem.

13.)Lots of Fatigue and always lossing your balance

Always feeling tired no matter how much sleep you get isn't normal.
Falling and lossing your balance unnecessarily could be a neurological
problem. Medical attention should be sought.

Ghana begins fuel exports to Nigeria, others

Ghana has started exporting fuel and gas oil to the landlocked
countries of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali from the Bolgatanga
Petroleum Depot.

The state-owned Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST)
Limited, is also supplying petroleum products from the same depot to
Benin Republic and Nigeria.

Ghana's Minister of Petroleum, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who made
this known at the meet-the-press series in Accra, said there were
plans to extend the exports to Liberia in the coming months.

The minister said the vision of the government was to make Ghana the
hub for the distribution of petroleum products in the West African
sub-region.

The Bolgatanga Petroleum Depot, with a capacity of 46 million litres
of refined gasoline and gas oil, was re-inaugurated in August 2015.

Buah said Ghana had been ushered into a new gas era that would
guarantee its energy security for the next two decades.

"Despite the global downturn in the oil industry, we have managed to
increase production.

"Ghanaians have been empowered to be at the forefront of the industry
and a liberalised petroleum downstream sector with strong private
sector participation where product availability, competition, better
customer service and lower prices are making Ghana the preferred
destination for doing business in the sub-region," he said.

He said the Ghana Gas Company (Ghana Gas) had completed the extension
of its pipeline to the battery limit of the West Africa Gas Pipeline
Company's (WAPCo's) Regulatory and Metering Station at Aboadze and
indicated that Ghana Gas was awaiting WAPCo to interconnect.

"In the long term, a 290-km onshore pipeline to ensure gas supply
reliability and downstream infrastructure expandability is planned.

"Additional volumes will, in the long term, provide the opportunity
for Ghana to realise its vision to utilise gas for the other
industrial uses, beyond power generation, such as fertiliser and
petrochemicals," he said.

Buah said Ghana's strategic stock was at an all-time high, with about
one million metric tonnes of petroleum products imported from January
to June 2016.

He said the feat was chalked up following the restructuring of BOST,
which had been successful in ensuring the availability of petroleum
products in the country.

"The restructuring of BOST has resulted in a turnaround in the
performance of this strategic national asset which is now successfully
fulfilling its mandate of ensuring the availability of petroleum
products," he said.

--Vanguard

Suicidal Man Lies On The Road In Imo (Photo)

An Imo State resident, Chidozie Anyanwu, has said he is ready to die
if the standard of living in the state does not improve.

Anyanwu, who was seen lying on MCC/Uratta Road, Owerri, on Monday,
refused to leave the road despite entreaties that he could be crushed
to death by vehicles.

He was, however, carefully avoided by motorists, including tricycle
riders, plying the road.

He told PUNCH Metro that his mother died recently and was put in the
mortuary, adding that she had yet to be buried due to lack of funds.

Anyanwu, who is married with three children, said it was difficult for
him to feed his family due to the harsh economy.

He said, "My wife is a civil servant and her salary does not come as
and when due. And when it comes, the bank collects all and still
debits her account because of a loan she took. The provision shop she
opened with the loan is not growing because Imo people don't have
money. People, who used to patronise the shop, are no longer coming
and when she calls them, they always say there is no money."

He said since the last three months, nobody had patronised his shop,
adding that his children ate only once in a day.

Punch correspondent gathered that Anyanwu later left the road after
some residents prevailed on him not to kill himself.

--ThePUNCH

Scientists find HIV-AIDs full cure

A British man with HIV undergoing a pioneering treatment to cure him
of the disease has shown "remarkable" progress, doctors have told a
newspaper.

Scientists treating the 44-year-old patient are now hopeful of a
breakthrough in what has been described as "one of the first serious
attempts at a full cure for HIV".

Results showed the man's most recent blood test showed no detectable
HIV was present.

Results showed the man's most recent blood test showed no detectable
HIV was present.

The man, who has remained anonymous, is the first of 50 people to
complete a trial using the two-stage attack on the deadly virus.

The research is being carried out by a collaboration of five of
Britain's top universities organised by the National Health Service.

Mark Samuels, managing director of the National Institute for Health
Research Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure, told the Sunday
Times: "This is one of the first serious attempts at a full cure for
HIV. We are exploring the real possibility of curing HIV.

"This is a huge challenge and it's still early days but the progress
has been remarkable."

The trial patient told the newspaper that recent blood tests showed no
detectable HIV virus was present, although it was too early to confirm
that the treatment had worked.

The new therapy aims to overcome a major barrier to clearing the virus
from a sufferer's body that has challenged researchers for decades.

Current methods using antiretroviral therapies (Art) fall short of
ridding patients of HIV, as the virus can hide out of the drugs' reach
in the immune system's T-cells.

By sheltering in dormant T-cells the virus can later take over its
host and use it to produce thousands of copies of itself, should Art
no longer work.

The research by Oxford and Cambridge universities, Imperial College
London, University College London, and King's College London, is
testing a "kick and kill" technique to first expose, then destroy the
virus.

First a vaccine helps the body find infected T-cells. This is then
followed by a course of the drug Vorinostat that awakens the dormant
T-cells, which then begin producing HIV proteins that act as a homing
beacon to the immune system.

Imperial College London consultant physician Professor Sarah Fidler
said the treatment worked in the laboratory and there was "good
evidence" it will work in patients.

However she added: "We must stress we are still a long way from any
actual therapy."

--BBC

Imo State Imposes N3,000 Development Levy On Indigenes

The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has imposed a N3,000
development levy on all taxable adults in the twenty-seven local
councils in the state, this he said is necessary in order to replicate
development in all the 637 communities.

Okorocha gave the directive at the weekend while inaugurating the
state's Development Council and presenting adult registers to
government representatives in Owerri.

He enjoined the people to face current challenges and pay for their
benefits, adding that every taxable adult must register.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Acho Ihim, who was also
present reminded the audience of the Imo State Traditional Rulers and
Autonomous Law which mandates that a community must have a minimum
population of 2,000 for it to be recognized by government.

The Commissioner for Community Government, Culture and Traditional
Affairs, Innocent Eke, said the Community Government Council (CGC),
put in place by the current administration, had decentralized power
and empowered communities, as the people now participate in the
management of their affairs.

The chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Sam Ohiri, assured
execution of the order.

--InformationNigeria

Facebook launches ‘Marketplace’ for members

Facebook on Monday launched a new online "Marketplace" allowing
members of the huge social network to buy and sell with each other.

The new feature puts Facebook squarely in competition with local
online selling platforms led by Craigslist.

--AFP

Banks Reject Cheque Issuance To Savings Account Users

Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) are yet to comply with the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) directive that they allow cheques payments into savings
accounts.

The apex bank instructed the lenders that savings account customers
with Bank Verification Number (BVN) should be allowed to deposit
cheques not more than N2 million in value, per customer per day, into
their accounts.

But two months after, the lenders claimed they were still upgrading
their systems to enable them comply with the directive.

Adebola Oloye, a customer of one of the deposit money banks, told The
Nation that his lender rejected a cheque of N200,000 he wanted to
lodge into his savings account, outright.

"The banks are not complying with the CBN's directive. The apex bank
has to compel them to do the needful because I believe the policy will
help to boost confidence in the banking system," he said.

CBN Director, Banking and Payment System Department, 'Dipo Fatokun,
had said the decision to allow cheques in savings accounts is in
furtherance of its efforts at strengthening the Nigerian payments
system.

The apex bank removed fixed interest rate on credit cards and
discontinued the actual address verification in account opening, for
customers with BVN. It also asked banks to begin to embed BVN
biometric data in payment cards issued henceforth, to facilitate
off-line BVN verification and biometric-based customer authentication
on such payment devices as Automated Teller Machines (ATM), Point of
Sale (PoS), kiosks, among others.

Former Keystone Bank Executive Director, Richard Obire, said the banks
had no reason not to comply. He said: "The CBN needs to wake the banks
up by setting a compliance deadline for them otherwise, the objective
of the policy shift will not be achieved."

He added: "In the past, they asked their customers to get two
references before cheques are acceptable into the accounts. I
understand they are taking precautions as accepting cheques can expose
them to risks, but with the BVN and registered mobile phone details, I
think they should comply without further delay".

Obire explained that accepting cheques into savings accounts would
boost financial inclusion and create opportunity for low income
earners to pay their dividend warrants and other cheque-related
instruments into their accounts, until such accounts can be credited
directly through the e-dividend platform.

-TheNation

Imo Police Explain How Three-Day-Old Stolen Baby Was Rescued

The Imo state police command has rescued a 3-day old baby, born to the
family of Mr and Mrs Oluebube Ekwedike of Umuezealaowerre Ehime Mbano
Local Government Area of Imo State.

While reuniting the baby with his parents on Monday, the Imo State
Police Commissioner, Taiwo Lakanu, said the baby was said to have been
stolen by unknown child thieves barely 48-hours after the baby was
given birth to at the Chukwunonso Maternity in Isiala Mbano Local
Government Area of Imo state.

At The Verge Of Selling

He said that after the issue was reported to the police, the men of
the command swung into action and arrested two suspects who were at
the verge of selling off the baby.


The mother of the baby could not hold back her tears as she holds her baby again
The mother of the baby, Uchechi Ekwedike, 21, who could not hide her
joy seeing her baby again, said she was tricked by the culprits in
order to steal her baby.

After reuniting the baby with his parents at the command headquarters
in Owerri, the capital of Imo State in southeast Nigeria, Mr Lakanu
said despite the numerous warnings for people to desist from child
stealing and trafficking, some persons were still adamant in causing
pain and sorrow on innocent members of the society.

He said: "My team, the entire Imo State Police Command, will not rest
on its oars to ensure that criminal offenses are brought to its barest
minimum in the state.

"It is so unfortunate that such barbaric behaviour still exists
amongst our people. But the arrest of these ones should serve as a
deterrent to other child thieves across the state and to make them
realise that no matter how smart they are, the hands of the law will
catch up with them".

While speaking to reporters in an incoherent manner, the prime
suspect, Mrs Ngozi Anyanwu, claimed that the act was not intentional
as it was targeted at the owner of the maternity home who she claimed
was owing her some amount of money prior to the incidence.

--ChannelsTV

US Declares 20 Nigerian States Unsafe

United States government has listed 20 of Nigeria's 36 states as
unsafe and asked its citizens living in the country to stay away from
them.

Among the 20, it cited Borno, Adamawa and Yobe as a complete no-go
area as "the ability of the US Mission to provide assistance to US
citizens" in those states remains severely limited.

Members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect recently renewed attackes in
Borno State, while Fulani herdsmen have scaled up killing of villagers
and farmers in Adamawa State.

The travel warning, published on Wednesday, replaced an earlier one
dated February 5, 2016.

In addition to the three frontline states, the Department of State
also "recommends against all but essential travel to the following
states due to the risk of kidnappings, robberies, and other armed
attacks: Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna,
Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, and
Zamfara.

"The Department also warns against travel in the Gulf of Guinea,
because of the threat of piracy" the advisory published online added.

It added that based on safety and security risk assessments, the
embassy maintains restrictions for travel by U.S. officials to the
states listed above; officials must receive advance clearance by the
U.S. Mission for any travel to those states.

The statement particularly urged vigilance around government security
facilities; churches, mosques, and other places of worship; locations
where large crowds may gather, such as hotels, clubs, bars,
restaurants, markets, shopping malls; and other areas frequented by
expatriates and foreign travelers.

"Security measures in Nigeria remain heightened due to threats posed
by extremist groups, and U.S. citizens may encounter police and
military checkpoints, additional security, and possible road blocks
throughout the country.

"Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have been displaced as a result of
violence in the north."

The State Department noted that kidnappings remained a security
concern throughout Nigeria, as criminal elements across the country
orchestrated kidnappings for ransom; Islamic extremists, operating
predominantly in the North, also have been known to conduct
kidnappings. Criminals or militants have abducted foreign nationals,
including U.S. citizens, from off-shore and land-based oil facilities,
residential compounds, airports, and public roadways.

"Separatist groups have staged demonstrations in Abia, Anambra,
Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, and Rivers states, some of which
have turned violent.

"Militant groups have destroyed oil production infrastructure in
Bayelsa and Delta states.

"U.S citizens are advised to avoid the areas of these states where
these incidents have occurred.

"Attacks by pirates off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea
have increased substantially in recent years.

"Armed gangs have boarded both commercial and private vessels to rob travelers.

"The Nigerian Navy has limited capacity to respond to criminal acts at
sea," it concluded.

-Tribune

Cheques can now be paid into savings accounts – CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Tuesday released four new guidelines
for the banking industry, top of which was an approval for bank
customers to make cheque deposits into their savings accounts.

Prior to this development, bank customers could only make cheque
deposits into their current accounts.

The new guidelines were contained in a circular posted on the CBN
website and signed by the Director, Banking and Payment System, Mr.
Dipo Fatokun.

The circular, which was directed to banks and other financial
institutions, was dated July 28, 2016.

Aside from this approval, the CBN also ordered banks and other
financial institutions to remove fixed interest rate on credit cards.

The central bank directed the banks to henceforth begin to embed
customers' Bank Verification Numbers on their payment cards.

It also ordered the banks to discontinue actual address verification
as a condition for account opening for customers with the BVN.

In approving cheque deposits into savings accounts, the apex bank
limited the daily deposit to only N2m per customer in a day.

The CBN said the new guidelines were meant to strengthen the payment
system and the banking sector.

The circular, with reference number BPS/DIR/GEN?CIR/03/005, read, "The
Central Bank of Nigeria, in furtherance of its efforts at
strengthening the Nigerian payment system, hereby issues the following
directives: the removal of fixed interest on credit cards; and
discontinuation of actual address verification in account openings for
customers with the Bank Verification Number.

"Banks should begin to embed the BVN on all payment cards issued
henceforth to facilitate off-line BVN verification and biometric-based
customer authentication in such payment devices as the Automated
Teller Machines, Point of Sale Terminal, kiosks etc.

"Savings account customers with the BVN should be allowed to deposit
cheques not more than N2m in value into their savings account per,
customer per day. Please, be guided and ensure strict compliance with
the content of this circular."

In another development, the CBN advised Nigerians at home and in the
Diaspora to beware of the unwholesome activities of some unlicensed
International Money Transfer Operators in the country.

It said in a statement by its Acting Director, Corporate
Communications, Isaac Okoroafor, that the warning had become necessary
because of the activities of some unregistered IMTOs, whose modes of
operation were detrimental to the Nigerian economy.

Okoroafor stated, "All financial service providers in Nigeria, just as
in other jurisdictions, are required to be duly licensed in order to
protect both customers and the financial system as well as to ensure
the credibility of financial transactions.

"For the avoidance of doubt, all licensed International Money Transfer
Operators, in line with the CBN circular on the sale of foreign
currency proceeds of July 22, 2016, are required to remit foreign
currencies to their respective agent banks in Nigeria for disbursement
in naira to the beneficiaries, while the foreign currency proceeds are
to be sold to Bureaux De Change operators for onward retail to end
users.

"The Central Bank of Nigeria will, therefore, not condone any attempt
aimed at undermining the country's foreign exchange regime.

"Accordingly, members of the public are advised to beware of the
activities of such unregistered IMTOs for the greater economic good of
Nigeria."

--PUNCH.