Those using VPN to access Twitter are at risk – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, said Nigerians who are bypassing the restriction on Twitter with Virtual Private Network (VPN) are at risk. He said VPN users are putting their data, including bank details, at risk.

The minister spoke at the investigative hearing into the ban of Twitter organized by the committees on Information, Justice, Communications and National Security and Intelligence, which was set up by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

At the hearing, the Minister said, “If you are using VPN, you are exposing your data, including your bank account, If you are using VPN and you think you are hurting Lai Mohammed, you are hurting yourself.”

Lai Mohammed also stated that Twitter will only be allowed to resume operation in Nigeria after registering as a Nigerian company.

He noted that Twitter must register with the Corporate Affairs Commission in line with the Companies and Allied Matters Act.

Also, Chairman of the committee, Olusegun Odebunmi, said the hearing is only a fact-finding one and a report will be presented to the House.

It would be recalled that the committees were given the mandate by the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila on the 8th of June following the ban to determine the legality of the ban, the circumstances surrounding it and its duration.