Outrage Erupts As SERAP Flags ‘Authoritarian’ Surveillance Powers In El-Rufai Case
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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has warned that Nigeria’s current interception and surveillance regulations could be misused against ordinary citizens and government critics if they are not properly examined by the legislature.
Speaking on Monday during an interview on Arise Television, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, called for increased transparency and broader public involvement in the formulation of such rules.
His remarks followed allegations by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who claimed that he and another individual intercepted a phone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The allegation has reignited public debate over the extent of surveillance powers granted to security agencies and the mechanisms in place to oversee them.
Call for Legislative Scrutiny
Responding to the controversy, Oluwadare maintained that regulations with such significant implications must pass through a comprehensive legislative process, including public hearings.
Given the broad authority embedded in the regulations, he argued, they have the potential to infringe on fundamental rights and therefore require democratic oversight. He questioned whether the current interception framework is necessary in its existing form, citing concerns about vague provisions, weak protections for civil liberties, and the risk of misuse.
Oluwadare also expressed uncertainty about how agencies such as the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Office of the National Security Adviser implement their interception powers, warning that without clear safeguards, these tools could be turned against civilians or political opponents.
He stressed that any regulation capable of affecting constitutional freedoms must undergo rigorous legislative review to ensure an appropriate balance between national security needs and the protection of civil liberties.
While clarifying that SERAP is not opposed to the existence of an interception framework, Oluwadare said such regulations should reflect international best practices and incorporate strong accountability measures already recognized in existing legal standards.
He added that meaningful public participation in shaping the rules would improve both transparency and effectiveness, ensuring that efforts to combat insecurity do not erode democratic freedoms.
