NBA SPIDEL Issues 14 Days Ultimatum to IGP, DSS, EFCC over Confiscation of Lawyers’ Phones at Security Offices
The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has issued a 14 Days Ultimatum to security agencies in Nigeria to stop and desist from confiscating lawyers phones at their offices.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Monday, SPIDEL further threatened to approach the court if the illegal act is not stopped.
Read the full notice below
Dear colleagues,
NBA-SPIDEL Writes the Inspector-General of Police, Director General, DSS & Chairman, EFCC on Confiscation of Lawyers’ Phones at their offices
This is to inform you that the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has in separate letters addressed to 1. the Inspector-General of Police, 2. the Director-General of DSS and 3. the Chairman of EFCC condemning the ongoing and widespread practice of confiscating phones from legal practitioners visiting their formations and offices during the performance of their professional duties.
NBA-SPIDEL in the said letters highlighted the illegality of this practice and stressed that this practice undermines the constitutional rights of suspects to legal representation and also violates the privacy, dignity, and freedom of expression rights of legal practitioners.
The letters, dated January 10, 2024, point out that legal practitioners routinely visit DSS offices for lawful professional duties, including accompanying clients for statements, as mandated by relevant provisions of statutes.
NBA-SPIDEL in the said letters further contends that the pervasive practice of confiscating phones for the entire duration of their visits is not only unconstitutional but also poses risks as legal professionals may miss urgent calls, and also have sensitive information electronically extracted and/or mined from their seized phones by officers of these agencies.
NBA-SPIDEL in the said letters demanded an immediate cessation of this unlawful practice within the next 14 days. In the event of failure or refusal, NBA-SPIDEL gave notice its intention to seek judicial intervention through the appropriate court of law.
Sadiya Saleh,
Publicity Secretary, NBA-SPIDEL.
