The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) this afternoon through its National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, accused the Federal Government of plans to launch unprecedented assault on the civil rights of Nigerian citizens, through the reported $40 million Internet Surveillance Contract that will allow the government to invade the privacy of citizens.
For the over 47 million Nigerian Internet users, Big Brother, in the form of the current administration is believed to have launched an assault on the freedom of speech of the Nigerian citizens
What security experts are saying is that is that it is one of the most far-reaching policies ever designed in Nigeria’s history to invade the privacy of citizens.
The analysts say that “this administration secretly, and in open violation of lawful contracting procedures, has awarded an Israeli firm, Elbit Systems, with headquarters in Haifa, a $40million contract to help it spy on citizens’ computers and Internet communications under the guise of intelligence gathering and national security.
Elbit announced the contract award last Wednesday in a global press release, but was silent on the Nigerian destination of the contract. Its general manager, Yehuda Vered, opaquely announced that “Elbit Systems will supply its Wise Intelligence Technology (WiT) system to an unnamed country in Africa under a new $40 million contract announced on 24 April… for Intelligence Analysis and Cyber Defense,” but effusively claimed, in the statement, that his company is “proud to be selected to supply this unique system, which is already field-proven, fully operational and customisable.
So it didn’t come as a surprise when the ACN alleged that the security move is targeted at journalists and those considered to be opponents of the administration, adding that it violates the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It urged the National Assembly, civil liberties organisations, professional groups and ordinary citizens to speak out now before it is too late.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said since the report of the contract, said to have been awarded to an Israeli firm, has yet to be denied several days after it was published, it is safe to assume that it is indeed true.
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