Reps to probe FG over alleged $40m internet surveillance contract

THE House of Representatives, on Thursday, detailed its committees on Information Communication Technology, Justice and Anti-corruption to investigate the alleged award of over $40 million internet spying contract to a foreign company to monitor computers and internet activities of over 45 millions Nigerians on the web by the Federal Government.

To this end, the House urged the Federal Government to suspend all action with regards to the contract pending the outcome of its investigation, which would be conducted within three weeks.

The House resolution was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance raised by Honourable Ibrahim Gusau, entitled: “A motion for the need to investigate the alleged over $40 million surveillance contract awarded by Federal Government to a foreign firm.”

The mover of the motion equally maintained that reports had it that the contract was awarded secretly and in wanton disregard of due process, fiscal responsibility act, and Bureau of Public Procurement Act 2007.

According to him, “the award of the contract has violated the basic privacy provision in Chapter 4, Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. The contract under the guise of intelligence gathering and national security may not be the answer to the glaring security challenges of today’s Nigeria.”

He noted that if the alleged contract was allowed the right to private and family life enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended would have been violated and breached.

When the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over the session put the motion to vote, it was unanimously adopted by the House.