Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Dr. Aminu Maida, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to revoke what they deem an unlawful directive to network providers. This directive instructed them to bar the phone lines of millions of Nigerians who had linked their SIM cards to their National Identification Numbers (NINs). SERAP further urged for the restoration of these phone lines and the establishment of a mechanism for effective consultation to support those yet to link their SIM cards to their NINs.

The NCC had previously ordered telecommunications companies to bar the phone lines of numerous citizens, including those who allegedly failed to submit a satisfactory NIN or did not have a cleared or verified NIN by February 28. In a letter dated March 9, 2024, signed by SERAP's deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization condemned this directive as a violation of citizens' rights to freedom of expression, information, and privacy.

SERAP argued that no agency had the authority to strip citizens of their constitutional rights under the pretext of inadequate NIN linkage. They emphasized that blocking phone lines should only be a last resort measure, in line with the Nigerian Constitution, international human rights standards, and due process safeguards.

The letter urged the NCC to take corrective measures within seven days, failing which SERAP would consider legal action to ensure compliance in the public interest. It criticized the arbitrary directive and the barring of phone lines as extreme measures lacking legal justification and proportionality. SERAP highlighted the necessity for any restrictions on rights to meet strict legal requirements and international human rights standards.

Furthermore, SERAP pointed out that the NCC had failed to conduct an impact assessment of these extreme measures, as required to avoid arbitrary or excessive effects. They asserted that such measures were inconsistent with the regulatory objectives of the Nigerian Communications Act and violated Nigerians' fundamental human rights.

In conclusion, SERAP emphasized that the NCC had a direct responsibility to respect and protect citizens' rights to freedom of expression, information, and privacy. They condemned the use of unlawful restrictions under the pretext of addressing security concerns and called for adherence to legal and human rights standards in all regulatory actions.

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