The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order the withdrawal of the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019 and to begin a fresh, open lawmaking process that would ensure any system for intercepting phone calls or digital messages complies with constitutional rules and includes proper court supervision.
In a letter dated February 22, 2026, and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group stated that, the rules introduced under the supervision of Communications Minister Bosun Tijani, contravene the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations and insisted that any surveillance law must protect citizens’ rights to privacy and free expression.
The demand followed former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s allegation that a phone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had been intercepted. El-Rufai claimed that calls were being monitored and that he overheard discussions about his possible arrest.
SERAP argued that the 2019 regulations created a wide surveillance system that allows authorities to monitor communications on grounds such as national security, economic wellbeing and public emergency without strong court control or independent monitoring.
According to the organisation, serious restrictions on basic rights should not be imposed through regulations that lack clear boundaries or public scrutiny. The group also raised concerns as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections. It warned that broad interception powers, if not tightly controlled, could be misused during politically tense periods.
SERAP said that even the fear of being watched could discourage political activity, investigative journalism and voter mobilisation. It added that free elections depend on private communication, safe journalistic sources and open public debate.
