Koko Maxwella 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project urges President Bola Tinubu to immediately withdraw Nigeria’s Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations 2019, warning they enable mass surveillance and threaten democratic freedoms.
In a letter dated February 21, 2026, SERAP calls on the President to direct Communications Minister Bosun Tijani to halt the regulations and initiate a transparent legislative process aligned with constitutional safeguards.
The warning follows allegations by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai that his phone conversations were intercepted.
“These regulations establish a sweeping surveillance regime that violates privacy and freedom of expression,” SERAP says, citing broad interception powers granted without sufficient judicial oversight.
The group warns that vague grounds such as “national security” and “economic wellbeing” risk abuse, particularly ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
“Even the perception of surveillance chills political organising, journalism and civic participation,” the letter states.
SERAP highlights provisions allowing warrantless interception, prolonged data retention and disclosure of encryption keys, describing them as inconsistent with international human rights standards.
Citing guidance from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the organisation argues that indiscriminate data collection is “arbitrary per se.”
While acknowledging the government’s duty to combat crime, SERAP insists security objectives must operate within strict legal limits.
The group threatens legal action if its demands are ignored within seven days, saying unchecked surveillance undermines electoral integrity and public trust.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Chukwu Obinna