Court Backs FG On SIM-NIN Linkage, Dismisses SERAP’s Suit

In a landmark ruling, Justice Yelim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) challenging the presidential directive requiring the linking of SIM cards with National Identification Numbers (NIN).

Naija News reports that the directive, which affects over 72 million subscribers, aimed to enhance national security and combat crime.

SERAP argued that the directive violated the fundamental rights of subscribers, including the right to freedom of expression and association.

However, counsel for the federal government, Akintola Makinde, countered that the directive was necessary to address the pressing issues of insecurity and kidnapping, which have become a major threat to the country’s stability.

Makinde emphasized that the use of telephones is instrumental in perpetrating crimes like kidnapping, and that measures to ensure accurate data synchronization are necessary to track and prevent such crimes.

He cited alarming statistics on kidnapping victims, stressing the need for urgent action to address the situation.

The Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) counsel, Nnamdi Oragwu, also argued that SERAP failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims, and that the NCC’s actions were in line with the Constitution. Oragwu emphasized that individual rights can be curtailed for the greater good of the country’s peace, stability, unity, and security.

Justice Bogoro’s ruling affirmed the government’s stance on the importance of linking SIM cards with NIN.

The court held that the policy is reasonably justifiable and that the country’s interest in unity, stability, and security outweighs individual rights.