SERAP Warns of Surveillance Abuse Ahead of 2027

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate withdrawal of the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019, describing the framework as unconstitutional and inconsistent with Nigeria’s international human rights commitments.

In a letter dated 21 February 2026 and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the President to instruct the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, to revoke the regulations. The organisation also demanded the commencement of a transparent and inclusive legislative process to develop a new interception framework that meets constitutional standards, guarantees judicial oversight and aligns with global human rights obligations.

The advocacy group’s demand follows recent claims by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who alleged that a phone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had been intercepted. El-Rufai reportedly stated that calls were being monitored and suggested that such surveillance extended to him.

SERAP argued that the 2019 regulations establish what it described as a broad surveillance regime capable of infringing on Nigerians’ rights to privacy and freedom of expression. According to the group, the rules permit interception of communications on grounds such as national security, economic wellbeing and public emergency without adequate safeguards, independent supervision or effective remedies for abuse.

The organisation warned that the timing of the regulations is particularly troubling as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. It said loosely defined interception powers could be misused in politically sensitive periods and potentially deployed against political opponents, journalists, civil society groups and election observers.

SERAP maintained that restrictions on privacy must satisfy the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, arguing that the current regulations fail to meet those standards. It further criticised provisions that allow applications for interception warrants to be made without adversarial scrutiny and noted the absence of requirements to notify individuals subjected to surveillance.

The group emphasised that serious limitations on constitutional rights should not be introduced through subsidiary regulations without proper parliamentary scrutiny. It also referenced international human rights standards warning that indiscriminate mass data collection cannot meet the threshold of legality or proportionality.

SERAP gave the federal government seven days to act on its recommendations, stating that it would pursue appropriate legal action in the public interest if no response is received.

While acknowledging the government’s duty to combat crime and safeguard national security, the organisation insisted that such objectives must be pursued within constitutional limits and with robust oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse.