Today, in Abuja, Paradigm Initiative submitted a letter to the Minister of Communications on the alleged eavesdropping capabilities of one of the two satellites that Nigeria plans to build and launch. A media report had stated that “inside sources at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) told Independent that one of the proposed satellites has eavesdropping capabilities.”
“As an organization at the forefront of ensuring digital rights and that human rights are respected, when new technologies are being used, in Nigeria and by extension, in Africa, we are keen on conversations that involve freedom of expression, Internet interference, data privacy and security and most importantly, surveillance and transparency,” stated Tomiwa Ilori, Paradigm Initiative’s Program Assistant.
According to the organisation’s Director of Programs, Tope Ogundipe, “It is in achieving these objectives that we call on the Federal Ministry of Communications to provide all the details involved in the building and launching of the two new satellites for the Nigerian government. As we have stated in the freedom of information request sent to the Ministry on February 2, 2017, the scaling up of the number of satellites in space may be noble but in order to ensure that this is done with utmost regard to digital rights of every Nigerian, every stakeholder, including the Ministry, must all act as watchdogs for our digital rights.” She continued, “Even though there have been insinuations that these satellites are capable of eavesdropping on the communications of most Nigerian citizens when finally launched, we believe that the Ministry understands this to be an erosion on the fundamental human rights guaranteed by Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). With this belief, we are sure that these published allegations are just what they are and contain no truth.”
Boye Adegoke, Paradigm Initiative’s Program Manager, had this to say about the FoI request: “In light of the report, and possible implications on digital rights in Nigeria, we ask the Ministry to honour our FoI request within time stipulated by law and provide us with every information as regards the launch of the satellites and their intended use so the general public can be aware that not only are the eavesdropping allegations untrue but also that the Ministry and every other agency of government will continue to respect human rights, and in particular, digital rights.”
Paradigm Initiative says it will continue to monitor this development for new updates and ensure that a logical conclusion in reached on the matter. In the past 4 years, the organisation has used litigation to follow up on FoI requests that were not responded to.
For any enquiries, you may call 09-291 63 01 or send eMail to info[at]pinigeria[dot]org. A copy of the acknowledged copy of the letter is available below.
