Senate lawmakers in Nigeria have approved a bill enabling security agencies to intercept communications deemed harmful to national security.
The approval has come about despite opposition from civil and human rights groups.
The bill passed the second reading at the Senate and has been referred to the committees on Communications, Judiciary and National Security for further input.
When finally passed into law, the bill is expected to allow security agencies to monitor communications such as telephonic calls, e-mail messages and other electronic exchanges such as text messages and multimedia applications.
Lawmakers say it could enhance national security, prevent crime and facilitate criminal investigations.
In addition, the bill seeks to prohibit the manufacture, assembly, processing, sales, purchase and advertisement of certain equipment illegally used as interception devices.
Furthermore, it is designed to also protect the interest of communication users through prohibition of interception, and provide circumstances under which interception may be permitted for public interest, according to senators.
“It is pertinent to note that the bill strengthens the terrorism prevention act, which empowers the Attorney-General of the Federation, National Security Adviser or the Inspector-General of Police to acquire information relating to terrorist groups and terrorist acts and conduct investigations or search with or without warrant to prevent or establish a crime of terrorism in Nigeria,” said Senator Isa Galaudu from Kebbi State, Northwest Nigeria,.
However, another senator, Atai Aidoki Ali, opposed the proposed legislation, saying it could give rise to government going on a witch-hunt of the opposition without court orders.
He described the bill as ambiguous, positing that it should be streamlined.
Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Senate President endorsed the bill despite the controversy around it.
“These are unusual times and unusual methods should be used to tackle problems,” he said.
The move to push the bill into law has come after President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states on May 14, ordering extra troops to battle Islamist sect Boko Haram, whose insurgency has killed thousands of people in the past three years.
The Nigerian government regards Boko Haram as a terrorist movement.
As a result of the insurgency, Nigeria’s government moved to cut mobile network services in the affected region. Services, though, have since been restored.
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