FG to start Phone Bugging (LI) ~ People say its violation of privacy

Some eminent Nigerians have warned against the proposed introduction of lawful interception (LI), the so-called initiative that will give security agencies powers to access private communications, such as telephone calls or e-mail messages; saying that such move would amount to infringement of peoples' privacy.

Though supports for the scheme were far and in between; majority of the speakers at the Joint Action Committee on Information and Communications Technology Awareness and Development (JACITAD) forum to review the draft regulation on law interception waxed worriedly at the possible manipulation and misuse of LI by power hungry government officials.

Under the initiative, in response to a warrant from a judge, lawful interception is performed simply by applying a 'tap' on the telephone line of the target, making it possible for security agencies in Nigeria to listen to terrorist and criminal cell phone calls and gather communications intelligence on their dark activities.

The controversial policy is being proposed by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) which said it is drawing powers from Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and all other powers enabling it in that regards.

But Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, former director-general, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), said the move  “Regulate” Lawful Interception of Communications”  falls outside NCC’s jurisdiction.

El-Rufai recalled that the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA 2003) was originally drafted by a consortium of local and international lawyers hired by the BPE under his leadership to give legal effect to the approved National Communications Policy midwifed by the National Council on Privatization in 2001. - NCW