The House of Representatives on Wednesday summoned the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, over some possible breaches in the operation of the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN).

The Governor of the apex bank is also expected to explain why bank customers should be made to disclose their BVN to third parties, especially while transacting businesses with Bureau de-Change (BDC) operators, as contained in the new guidelines.

A motion on the matter was raised by Honourable Abubakar Nuhu, as a matter of urgent public importance.

Reading an excerpt from the guidelines, he said: “Till date, 2,765 BDCs have been approved by the CBN. Also know that all customers desiring foreign exchange through any channel, will be forced to give their BVN to those with whom they are doing transactions.

“Further note that the CBN shall from December 1, 2015, penalise foreign exchange dealers that do not provide the BVN of any customer that do business with them”.

The lawmaker expressed worries that the new guideline would pose more problems to Nigerians.

“Concerned that the attempt to use BVN to stem money laundering will make the vital financial records of all Nigerians easily accessible to dubious people,” he said.

Mr Nuhu further expressed worries that in an era of internet fraud, the CBN’s directive would endanger Nigerians’ hard earned money and cause even more danger than it was meant to solve.

The motion was, however, adopted unanimously and referred to the House Committee on Banking and Currency for further legislative action.