Following the directive issued by the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, the Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had mandated President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw the directive of requesting the worldwide cellular tools ID of Nigerians phone.

Obinwannem News had reported yesterday that NCC orders Nigerians to submit phone IDs, IMEIs from July

The NCC, said it was a collaboration with the federal government; while outlining the purpose of submitting the IMEI, one of which was to mitigate crime activities.

The IMEI, a 15-digit number, peculiar to every phone, could be a link to tracking every phone user; whether cellular or not.

Reacting to NCC’s directive, SERAP said the order need to be withdrawn, noting that it “cannot be justified, not in line with the 1999 constitution as amended, and would alter the human rights of the populace”.

SERAP in a Tweet, said, “We urge President Buhari to direct the Nigerian Communication to instantly withdraw the unlawful directives, asking Nigerians to submit the worldwide cellular tools ID of their telephones.

“We’ll see in court room if this isn’t withdrawn inside (sic) 48 hours.

“The directives can’t be justified beneath any circumstances, because it amounts to mass surveillance, which is opposite to the Nigerian structure of 1999 (as amended) and violates the rights of privateness, freedom of expression, and would have a profound affect on different human rights.”

The regulatory physique had made the directive within the Commission’s Revised Nationwide ID coverage for SIM card registration.

Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News | May 22, 2021