The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately withdraw the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations 2019, describing the framework as unconstitutional and a threat to civil liberties.
In a letter dated February 21, 2026, SERAP asked the President to direct the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, to scrap the regulations and begin a transparent legislative process that meets constitutional standards and international human rights obligations.
The group’s intervention followed allegations by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had his phone conversation intercepted. El-Rufai reportedly claimed the NSA’s call was tapped and that similar surveillance had targeted his own communications.
Blaming the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations 2019 for enabling such actions, SERAP argued that the rules create a sweeping mass surveillance regime. According to the organisation, the regulations grant broad powers to intercept communications on grounds such as national security, economic wellbeing and public emergency without strict judicial oversight.
SERAP warned that the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations 2019 could be weaponised ahead of the 2027 general elections. It said unchecked interception powers risk undermining political organising, investigative journalism and voter mobilisation.
The group highlighted specific provisions, including Regulation 4, which grants discretionary interception powers to security agencies, and Regulation 23, which expands the list of authorised agencies to bodies such as the Nigeria Police Force, National Intelligence Agency and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
SERAP also raised concerns about warrantless interception under Regulation 8, three-year data retention under Regulation 6, disclosure of encryption keys under Regulation 9, and emergency surveillance powers under Regulation 12.
Citing the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the organisation said mass surveillance programmes based on indiscriminate data collection are inherently arbitrary and incompatible with legality, necessity and proportionality.
SERAP gave the Federal Government seven days to act or face legal action in the public interest.
