FG Presses Forward with Controversial Wire-Tap Programme

The federal government is going ahead with her controversial programme that will require telecommunications service providers in the country to turn over cell phone records of their customers to security agencies, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can report.

The programme that will allow security agencies monitor and track conversations on telephone and the internet, passed the second reading at the  House of Representatives yesterday.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that the bill for the programme had also passed the second reading at the  Senate  last month.

In simple terms, phone and internet communications made by Nigerians daily will be open to government monitoring and when necessary, interception.

If passed into law, it will allow government law enforcement agents filter and tap into communications and will also outlaw unauthorised interception of internet and phone communications.

The proposal is titled ‘A Bill for An Act to Provide for the Interception, Development And Protection of Communications Networks and Facilities For Public Interest And Other Related Matters, 2013”

The House of Representatives yesterday,  Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos), said the bill would regulate text messages , and e-mail messages being monitored by people as well provide security for individuals.

The lawmaker expressed concern that people were sometimes subjected to blackmail and kidnapping through the tapping of telephone lines.

He decried the invasion of people’s privacy saying that it “should not be allowed in a democratic setting like Nigeria”.

“I don’t want anyone listening to my conversation”.

Speaking in support of the bill, Rep.Uzoma Abonta  (PDP- Abia), said that the importance of security could not be overemphasised.

He urged the House to pass the bill into second reading for the benefit of Nigerians.

Contributing to the debate, Reps Bitrus Kaze(PDP-Plateau) , Nnenna Ukeje (PDP-Abia), Leo Ogor(PDP-Delta), in their separate input, called for the curtailing of tapping conversations describing it as “an ugly trend.”

The lawmakers argued that the bill was about the well being of Nigerians and corporate existence of the country.

Reps Ken Chikere (PDP-Rivers), Benjamin Aboho (ACP-Benue) also spoke, extensively, in support of the proposed legislation.

The bill was, however, opposed by Rep. Ossai Ossai (PDP-Delta), who argued that the proposed legislation was “contaminated” and should be thrown out.

The opposition notwithstanding, the bill passed second reading and the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal referred it to the Committees on Communications, ICT and Justice for more inputs.