SERAP Urges Withdrawal of Nigeria's Phone Tapping Law

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, to immediately withdraw the 2019 law regulating the interception of communications. SERAP describes this law as unconstitutional and inconsistent with Nigeria's international obligations, asserting that it establishes a regime of mass surveillance that violates the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights guarantees, including privacy and freedom of expression.

This call comes in light of allegations that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai's phone conversations were intercepted by national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu, which were disclosed on Arise TV. The leaked conversations reportedly included plans for El-Rufai's arrest upon his return to Nigeria, raising significant concerns about national security protocols and inflaming political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The law mandates that telecommunications operators install equipment capable of intercepting communications for law enforcement agencies in public interest and safety.