NIN-SIM: Reverse decision to block phone lines of 72 million subscribers, SERAP tells Buhari
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “direct the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, and the
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to immediately reverse the apparently unlawful decision to block over 72 million active telecommunication subscribers from making calls on their SIMs.”
Last week, the Federal Government ‘ordered’ telecommunications companies to block outgoing calls on all unlinked lines as the deadline for the verification expired on March 31. Following the directive, over 72 million subscribers have now been barred from making calls.
In the open letter dated 9 April, 2022 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, “Blocking people from making calls undermines their ability to communicate freely, and associate with others. It infringes their rights to freedom of expression and family life, as well as socio-economic rights.”
SERAP, “The decision will have a chilling effect, dissuading the free expression of ideas and information.”
According to SERAP, “The decision to block people from making calls is also inconsistent and incompatible with the country’s international legal obligations to respect, protect, promote and facilitate economic and social rights. The decision contradicts the tenets of the rule of law, and a democratic society.”
SERAP said, “Immediately reversing the decision would be in conformity with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations. Reversing the decision would also improve the confidence of the international community in human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria.”
The letter, read in part, “Access to telecommunications services is a condition sine qua non for the effective exercise of human rights. Therefore, the decision to block people from making calls is discriminatory, and a travesty.”
“The decision will cause a wide variety of harms to economic activity, personal safety, and disproportionately affect those on the margins of society. This will directly hinder the ability of the government to achieve the 2030 Agenda’s Goal 8 on the promotion of sustained, inclusive, sustainable economic growth.”
“Millions of Nigerians including persons with disabilities, elderly citizens, persons living in remote areas have been unable to capture their biometrics, and obtain their National Identity Numbers [NINs] due to logistical challenges, administrative and bureaucratic burdens, as well as the persistent collapse of the national grid.”
“This has resulted in the discrimination of marginalized or vulnerable groups.”
“We would be grateful if the decision to block people from making calls on their SIMs is reversed within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions in the public interest to ensure full compliance with human rights standards.”
“The rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and freedom of association, whether offline or online promote the democratic ideal by allowing citizens to voice their concerns, challenge governmental institutions, and hold government accountable for its actions.”
“The democratic ideal rationale also recognizes the necessity of having a well-informed citizenry to participate in the democratic process.”
“We support any lawful means to address the growing insecurity across the country. However, while the authorities have a legal responsibility to protect, ensure and secure the rights to life and property, any such responsibility ought to be discharged in conformity with human rights standards.”
“While we recognize the need for your government to take measures to ensure security and safety of the people in the country, we are seriously concerned that the decision to block people from making calls appears to go beyond the restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, information, and association.”
“The rights to freedom of opinion and expression and access to information are protected under section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.”
“These rights must be protected online as it is protected offline. Any restriction on these rights must be provided by law, be necessary in a democratic society and serve a legitimate aim.”
“The UN Human Rights Committee has stated that when a state party invokes a legitimate ground for restriction of human rights, it must demonstrate in specific and individualized fashion the precise nature of the threat, and the necessity and proportionality of the specific action taken, in particular by establishing a direct and immediate connection between the expression and the threat.”
“The decision to block over 72 million subscribers from making calls on their SIMs also amounts to an arbitrary or unlawful interference with their right to family life, and socio-economic rights, as it unnecessarily or disproportionately interferes with these fundamental human rights.”
“According to our information, your government recently directed telecommunication companies in the country to block over 72 million active telecommunication subscribers from making calls on their SIMs. The ‘order’ to the telecommunications companies was apparently to enforce compliance with the Federal Government’s National Identification Number-Subscriber Identity Module policy.”
“The policy effectively restricted outgoing calls on all unlinked lines, effective April 4, 2022.”
“We are concerned that the decision to block Nigerians from making calls will have a disproportionate chilling effect on vulnerable groups that rely on such peaceful means to communicate, and convey their opinions and views.”
“SERAP is concerned that the decision appears to be arbitrary, and lack any legal framework, independent and judicial oversight. This may allow authorities to act in an unfettered and potentially arbitrary or unlawful manner.”
“The decision to block people from making calls also does not appear to be the least intrusive instrument available to the government to achieve the desired results, i.e., the maintenance of national security and public safety.”
“The decision is also not proportionate to the perceived goal to be achieved, as it is not appropriately tailored to achieve its protective function in the least intrusive manner.”
“The mass disconnection of telephone subscribers from making calls is apparently without any legal justification. It is a form of collective punishment of the people affected by the decision.”
“Under international human rights, States including Nigeria ‘shall not engage in or condone any disruption of access to digital technologies for segments of the public or an entire population.’ States must refrain from cutting off access to telecommunications services.”
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
10/4/2022
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202
Northern leaders caution Soyinka on Omisore, APC
Stakeholders in the politics of the North-East geo-political zone on Thursday reacted to the spate of criticisms and outright falsehood against the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, saying it was in bad faith.
The leaders described Omisore as a man of profound moral rectitude.
The leaders in a statement in Damaturu, capital of Yobe State, said influential Yoruba leaders should rise in condemnation of the uncomplimentary remarks on Omisore, crude propaganda and the obviously desperate moves to please his paymaster, a former South-South Governor and a major donor to the Nobel laureate’s organisation that twisted the minds of many young Nigerians most of whom are now adults regretting toeing the path of Prof Soyinka in their teenage years.
‘’The current posturing of Prof. Wole Soyinka is totally in bad taste and drips with malice .He is attacking Omisore on account of the inability of his benefactor to hijack the national leadership of the party, which he fears will deny the former South-South governor the opportunity to become the presidential candidate of the party without any positive track record of performance in governance.
The statement by the chairman of North-East Unity and Advancement Forum (NEUAF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa, commended the APC National Secretary for his invaluable contributions to Nigeria’s development and the challenging task of nation-building.
‘’Senator Omisore is a patriot, a thinker and a fighter for good causes’’
The statement cited Omisore for honesty, industry and patriotism.
The group also praised President Muhammadu Buhari and the esteemed members of the ruling party for electing Omisore the party’s National Secretary.
The statement emphasized Omisore’s rich and inspiring profile, meritorious services to the nation and humanity, peaceful disposition and gentility.
The leaders accused Soyinka of dabbling into politics, threatening thunder against Omisore, whilst encouraging mediocrity and protecting a former South-South governor for supporting him in the last ten years.
‘’We know the tactics of Wole Soyinka. He likes to grandstand as an independent man. Many believe he is speaking for the people, campaigning for good governance and quality leadership while the reverse is the case. There are many questions begging for answers in Soyinka’s relationship with the ex-South-South governor for anyone to take him seriously’’
‘’Wole Soyinka knows that his sponsor is a weakling who obviously finds himself where he doesn’t belong’’
They argued that Soyinka’s recent remark on Omisore was borne out of selfishness but warns that Nigeria is not for sale.
‘’The energy and vigour with which Soyinka undertook a fierce political crusade against the APC National Secretary left no one in doubt that his target was to divide the ruling party, draw Omisore into a controversy and then distract him’’
The leaders urged Soyinka to stop chasing shadows that would definitely not help the cause of a current minister and former governor in the South-South geo-political zone.
‘’We have watched in astonishment how Soyinka turned himself into such a burden to the former South-South governor’’
Wole Soyinka recently lashed out at Omisore on account of the choice of the ruling party to elect the former Osun State deputy governor its National Secretary.
‘’Wole Soyinka ought to be more decent with his choices of words in addressing Omisore and should not undermine the fact that his sycophancy might land him into trouble’’
PRESS RELEASE
LAGOS LEADS IN TECHNOLOGY START-UP, DEVELOPMENT IN WEST AFRICA, SAYS SANWO-OLU
- As Governor launches new Mainone/MDXI data centre
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday said the State is leading in technology start-up in West Africa and in technology development and e-commerce.
He said his administration would continue to support and design policies to help in creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Lagos State.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the statement during the launch of Mainone/MDXI new data centre. The company, which is a subsidiary of Equinox Technology, is a cable and communication services company.
He noted that with job creation, knowledge and skills would be acquired by those employed in the facility and they would be trained so that they could compete with their counterparts on a global level all over the world.
“Lagos is the heartbeat and commercial nerve centre of the country, therefore, we will continue to support investors and create an enabling environment for their businesses to flourish.
“Lagos remains in the tech global market and in the map of the global space as a destination of choice where investors, tech experts see as a place to be. Therefore, for businesses to thrive, with international and local businesses to do well, we need to deliberately listen to their needs, know how government can help in terms of policies to make them thrive.
“This investment is putting Lagos on a global market and likewise providing jobs for the teeming youths,” the governor said.
Speaking further on his administration’s commitment to technology and innovation, Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that: “In recent years, Lagos has become the leading destination for technology start-up investments on the African continent. In addition to being the largest sub-national economy in Africa, Lagos is now also Africa’s Start-up Capital.
“We are home to three Fintech Unicorns – Paystack, Flutterwave and Interswitch, among many other very successful, globally recognized Start-ups. We are also a leading global city in e-commerce and retail technology, transportation technology and education technology, according to the Global Startup Ecosystem Index.
“On our part as Government, we are ensuring that our policies are designed to support private investment and create unending opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors. We are also putting our skin in the game. We have reached advanced stages of the rollout of 3,000km of terrestrial fibre across the State. I’m aware that MainOne also has a similar network of over a thousand kilometers, part of which is in Lagos.
“We are developing a K.I.T.E Cluster/Campus in Yaba, Lagos, on 22,000 square meters of land, in partnership with the private sector. K stands for Knowledge, I for Innovation, T for Technology and E for Entrepreneurship. We have just established a new University, the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUTECH), focused on building capacity in science, technology, and innovation in Lagos State.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State is very proud of the Managing Director of Mainone/MDXI, Ms. Funke Opeke and what she has achieved with MainOne over the last 12 years, adding that “Entrepreneurs like Ms. Opeke are solid proof of what Nigeria and Nigerians can achieve when we set our minds to it and pursue business dreams that are ambitious and world changing.”
Speaking earlier, Opeke assured that with the presence of Mainone/MDXI facility in Lagos and Abuja, they planned to replicate and extend such to Port-Harcourt and other parts of the country.
She said the new facility is a hub of digital economy in West Africa, noting that Mainone/MDXI landed its first Marine cable in Lagos and opened its first data center also in Lagos and West Africa.
“The facility will further help in boosting development especially in areas of data gathering and content creation. All telecommunications companies are connected to the facility, lots of major institutions are providing critical services all over west Africa with this facility,” she said.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
06 APRIL 2022
PRESS RELEASE
WE’LL BE CREATIVE IN THE FINANCIAL MODEL FOR LAGOS, SAYS SANWO-OLU
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday said his administration would be creative in its financing model to provide the required funds to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the State.
He made the statement while receiving the management team of FMDQ Group Plc and FSD Africa, who paid him a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Marina. The FMDQ Group Plc was led by its CEO, Bola Onadele Koko, while FSD Africa was led by its CEO, Mark Napier.
Speaking at the event, which was also attended by the British Deputy High Commissioner, Ben Liewelyn-Jones and Head, Economic Development, FCDO of the British High Commission, Governor Sanwo-Olu said he would continue to push until he gets the desired results for Lagos and the residents of the State.
“We need to look for other sources of financing. We need to be very creative in our financing model. The population is huge and there is pressure on us to meet up with some of our very big and expanded economy.
“We are truly pushing ourselves in various areas. I am personally excited when I know and see that our team and your team are driving toward a convergence that can better the lots of our citizens. We will continue to push until we get the desired result,” the Governor said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the Lagos State Green Bond Issuance Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the State Government signed with FMDQ Group and Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Africa on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, urged all partners to leverage the partnership for full benefits on investments, adding that the relationship should be continuous and not a one-off.
In a related development, Governor Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday said the State Government will work with consulting engineering and architectural firms to prevent the collapse of buildings in the State.
He made the statement during a courtesy visit by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Nigeria of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) at Lagos House Marina.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who reiterated his administration’s commitment to the provision of infrastructure for Lagos residents, said infrastructure is one of the ways in which societal problems can be solved. “It is something that we are looking holistically at believing that we want to improve the lots of our citizens given the political chance that God has given us.”
He said the State Government is in the process of identifying consulting engineering and architectural firms to help with monitoring building construction. “We believe that structural engineers and others can help by doing an independent assessment to ensure that everybody adheres to the rules. And the government can continue to do oversight function working with competent, capable consulting engineering and architectural firms so that we can monitor the city and prevent the collapse of a building.”
The President of the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN), Engr. Ajibade Oke, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration in the area of infrastructure. “The infrastructure in Lagos is fantastic. Look at the blue and red line rail, the BRTs, the flyover, bridges and other amenities that we are having in Lagos. We are even talking about Fourth Mainland Bridge. We thank God for the people that are managing Lagos State,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of FIDIC for the Africa 2022 Conference and past President of the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN), Engr. Charles Akindayomi, appealed for the Lagos State Government’s support of the conference which is expected to be attended by about 250 delegates from different parts of the world, noting that the support will give the State an opportunity to display the rich culture and infrastructure development to the rest of Africa.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
05 APRIL 2022