23rd October, 2013
Get set…Snooping ‘Joe’ is on his way to Nigeria as your text, voice and internet conversations will now be monitored under a new law in the works.
The proposed law that will allow Nigeria’s security agencies monitor and track conversations on telephone and the internet, passed the second reading at the Nigerian House of Representatives today.
The law, still now a bill, according to its promoters, will aid the battle against terrorism. But in other climes, similar laws have provoked citizen anger as they see it as a means of violating their privacy.
The bill is known as the Nigerian Communications Commission ( NCC) Act of 2003.
It seeks to empower the police and other security agencies to track, intercept, monitor conversation, text messages and internet communications involving suspected terrorists and criminals.
The bill also seeks to provide automatic access to the database of all subscribers to the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
It further seeks to require all telecommunication facilities to allow for the lawful interception of information transmitted by means of those facilities and respecting the provision of telecommunications subscriber information.
Leading debate on the general principle of the proposed legislation, Rep.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.
Meanwhile, the House has passed a bill for an Act to amend the Passport (Miscellaneous provision) Act.2004.
The bill seeks to clearly define persons eligible for the issuance of diplomatic and official passports.