By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has denied allegations that it was tracking phone conversations of Nigerians.
In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Mr Reuben Muoka, on Tuesday, the agency said the law does not give it the powers to monitor discussions of citizens via telephones.
Over the weekend, an online news platform released a purported phone conversation between the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, and the General Overseer of Living Faith Chapel, also known as Winners’ Chapel, Mr David Oyedepo.
In the said phone call, the former Governor of Anambra State was heard soliciting for votes from the cleric, asking him to use his influence to sway voters in his direction.
While many have raised questions over the authenticity of the phone conversation, some have raised bigger concerns over the violation of citizens’ privacy, accusing the NCC of being used by the government to monitor what Nigerians say on the phone.
But the commission denied the allegations, emphasising that, “By the provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 and other extant laws of the federation, the commission does not and cannot track nor (sic) leak telephone conversations of anyone.”
The NCC disclosed in the statement that it “has reported the allegations, which we take seriously, to relevant security agencies for proper investigation and necessary action.”
“The commission restates its commitment to discharge its responsibilities to the Nigerian people in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the NCA 2003; other extant laws of the federation; and global best practices,” it added, urging the “public to disregard” the allegations.
Adedapo Adesanya