The Nigerian Federal House of Representatives on Thursday ordered the immediate suspension of the Internet Surveillance contract awarded by President Goodluck Jonathan to an Israeli firm.
The president had secretly awarded the $40m contract to Elbit Systems, Info tech firm, reportedly to spy on millions of Nigerian internet users. When converted, the contract sum amounts to N6bn. The House order came after a debate on a motion initiated by Hon. Ibrahim Gusau.
Many of those who spoke on the motion argued that the contract would be an infringement on the privacy of Nigerians.
Gusau had argued that the project was not the solution to the country’s lingering security challenge as claimed by the Federal Government in defence after the lid was blown open.
The House criticised the secrecy surrounding the contract, describing it as a violation of financial regulations relating to contract awards stipulated in the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.
The lawmakes therefore put a stop to further execution of the project and commissioned three committees —Information and Computer Technology, Human Rights, and National Security — to conduct inquiry into the project and report to the House in three weeks.
