To provide some background, on March 21, 2023, a phone call between Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the opposition party in Nigeria, and Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, was leaked online. The conversation was said to have taken place on March 20, 2023, and reportedly lasted for over an hour.
In the phone call, the two men discussed a wide range of topics, including the upcoming presidential election, the state of the Nigerian economy, and the role of the church in politics. However, the leak of the phone call has sparked concerns about the privacy of individuals in Nigeria, particularly in the context of the laws from NITDA and NCC.
NITDA, (National Information Technology Development Agency), is a government agency in Nigeria that is responsible for developing and regulating information technology in the country. The agency has developed several laws and regulations aimed at protecting the privacy of individuals, including the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), which came into effect in 2019.
The NDPR is designed to regulate the processing of personal data in Nigeria, and it applies to all individuals and organizations that collect, process, or store personal data. The regulation requires organizations to obtain consent from individuals before collecting their personal data, and it imposes strict rules on how personal data should be processed, stored, and shared.
Similarly, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is the government agency responsible for regulating the telecommunications industry in Nigeria. The NCC has also developed several regulations aimed at protecting the privacy of individuals, including the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations, which outlines the rights and responsibilities of consumers of telecommunications services in Nigeria.
The leaked phone call between Peter Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo highlights a breach of privacy in Nigeria because it is a violation of their fundamental right to privacy. The Nigerian Constitution recognizes the right to privacy as a fundamental human right, and it is protected under various laws and regulations, including the NDPR and the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations.
The NDPR provides that personal data shall not be processed without the consent of the data subject or the legal representative of the data subject. The regulation also requires that organizations take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the security of personal data against unauthorized or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction, or damage.
Similarly, the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations provides that the privacy of telecommunications consumers shall be respected and protected. It stipulates that telecommunications operators shall not intercept, listen in on, or record any communication transmitted over their networks without the consent of the communicating parties.
In the case of the leaked phone call between Peter Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo, it is not clear how the call was obtained or who was responsible for leaking it. However, the fact that it was leaked without the consent of the individuals involved raises concerns about the privacy of phone calls and other forms of communication in Nigeria.
The leak could have occurred due to a breach of security in the communication network, such as hacking or interception of the call. It could also be a case of someone intentionally recording the call without the knowledge or consent of the parties involved.
Regardless of how the leak occurred, it is a violation of the right to privacy of the individuals involved. The leak could have serious consequences for their personal and professional lives, and it could also have a chilling effect on the freedom of expression and communication in Nigeria.
The MTN data breach in 2016: In 2016, the personal data of over 55 million MTN Nigeria subscribers was leaked online. The data included subscriber names, phone numbers, and other personal details. The breach was reportedly caused by an insider who illegally copied the data and sold it to unauthorized persons.
The JAMB data breach in 2019: The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the agency responsible for conducting entrance examinations for Nigerian universities, experienced a data breach in 2019. The personal data of over 1.3 million candidates who sat for the exam that year was leaked online. The breach was reportedly caused by an insider who illegally copied the data and sold it to unauthorized persons.
The NDLEA data breach in 2021: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had a data breach in 2021, where the personal data of over 15,000 job applicants was leaked online. The data included names, phone numbers, email addresses, and other personal details. The breach was reportedly caused by a hacker who gained unauthorized access to the agency’s database.
These breaches highlight the vulnerability of personal data in Nigeria and the need for stronger measures to protect it. The breaches were caused by a variety of factors, including insider threats, hacking, and weak security measures. The consequences of these breaches are far-reaching, as they can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and other forms of cybercrime. It is therefore essential for individuals, organizations, and government agencies to take proactive steps to protect personal data and prevent breaches from occurring in the first place.
Other high profile data breaches include,
The INEC staff data breach: In 2020, the personal data of over 10,000 INEC staff was leaked online. The data included names, phone numbers, and other personal details. The breach was reportedly caused by an insider who illegally copied the data and sold it to unauthorized persons. The suspect was arrested and charged to court.
The NIMC data breach: The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) had a data breach in 2021, where the personal data of over 60 million Nigerians was allegedly exposed. The breach was reportedly caused by an insider who illegally accessed the agency’s database and sold the data to unauthorized persons. The suspect was later arrested by the police.
The NSITF data breach: The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) had a data breach in 2020, where the personal data of over 29,000 staff was leaked online. The breach was reportedly caused by an insider who illegally copied the data and sold it to unauthorized persons. The suspect was later arrested by the police.
These breaches show that civil servants who have access to sensitive data can also be a threat to data privacy and security. It is therefore essential for government agencies to put in place strong data protection policies and security measures to prevent unauthorized access and misuse of personal data. It is also important to train and sensitize staff on the importance of data privacy and security to prevent breaches caused by insider threats.
The leaked phone call between Peter Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo highlights the need for stronger measures to protect the privacy of individuals in Nigeria whether it be from loan sharks or other violators. The government, telecommunication operators, and other stakeholders must take steps to ensure that personal data and communications are adequately protected from unauthorized access, interception, or disclosure.
The recent leak of the phone call between Peter Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo highlights a breach of privacy in Nigeria, despite the laws from NITDA and NCC aimed at protecting the privacy of individuals. It is important for individuals and organizations to be aware of their rights and responsibilities under these laws and to take steps to protect their personal data and communications.
Paul Balo is the founder of TechBooky and a highly skilled wireless communications professional with a strong background in cloud computing, offering extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing wireless communication systems.
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