Anderson Cooper's Take: The Saga Of Abisoye Coker-Odusote And The Nigerian House Of Representatives

Concerns Mount as NIMC Director-General Ignores Summonses

Let’s dive into a story that’s been making waves in Nigeria’s political arena. There’s a growing buzz around the House of Representatives and their inability to secure the arrest of the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote. For those who haven’t been following, this situation stems from her failure to show up before the legislative chamber regarding an ongoing investigation.

February’s Ultimatum: The Threat of an Arrest Warrant

Back on February 12, 2025, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, chaired by Mike Etaba, dropped a bombshell. They threatened to issue an arrest warrant for Coker-Odusote, citing her alleged breach of a software development license agreement with Truid Limited. This wasn’t just some random invitation—it was a formal request from the committee, and the stakes were high.

Abisoye Coker-Odusote, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, was summoned for a hearing scheduled for March 13, 2025. However, it seems she didn’t see the need to attend. According to Naija News, her absence has sparked a heated debate, with many questioning her disregard for parliamentary authority.

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The Truid Limited Controversy: A Closer Look

Now, let’s rewind a bit and understand the root of the issue. The committee has been investigating an agreement between Truid Limited and the NIMC. Here’s the gist: Truid Limited stepped in, financed, developed, and deployed a tokenisation system for the NIMC without requiring any financial input from the commission. In return, Truid Limited was supposed to recover its investment through service provider patronage, with the proceeds shared according to a predetermined ratio.

E.R. Opara, the counsel representing Truid Limited, claims that this agreement was supposed to last for a decade, starting from the software’s deployment in 2021. However, things took a turn when Coker-Odusote allegedly attempted to terminate the deal shortly after taking office. This move has led to the current legal tug-of-war, leaving many wondering if this was a strategic decision or a simple misunderstanding.

A Voice of Frustration: Mike Etaba’s Warning

Mike Etaba, the chair of the committee, wasn’t shy about expressing his frustration. He made it crystal clear that the committee would not tolerate such defiance. Etaba warned, “If she fails to show up at the next hearing of this case, we will have no option other than to ask the Inspector-General of Police to bring her.” His tone was firm, emphasizing that government officials cannot treat constituted authority with such disregard. He added, “We can no longer condone such an attitude.”

Fast forward more than two weeks after the scheduled hearing on March 13, and it appears that Coker-Odusote has still not honored the invitation. Shockingly, the committee has yet to secure an arrest warrant, leaving many to question the effectiveness of their threats.

Understanding the Tokenisation System

Let’s take a moment to understand why this system is so crucial. The NIMC tokenisation system was launched on December 22, 2021, with the aim of enhancing the privacy and security of personally identifiable information during verification transactions. This was a major step forward, designed to protect citizens’ data from illegal retrieval, usage, transfer, and storage.

In September 2021, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved a whopping ₦25 billion to upgrade and replace NIMC’s identity infrastructure. This investment underscores the importance of modernizing systems to safeguard sensitive information in an increasingly digital world.

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What’s Next for Coker-Odusote and the House of Representatives?

As the drama unfolds, all eyes are on the House of Representatives. Will they follow through on their threats, or will this become another case of empty promises? Meanwhile, Coker-Odusote’s decision to ignore the summons has sparked widespread debate about accountability and respect for parliamentary authority. Only time will tell how this story will unfold, but one thing’s for sure—it’s a tale worth watching.