By Japhet Davidson

The African Leadership Strategy and Transparency for Development Initiative (ALSDI), a civil society organisation committed to accountability, transparency, and good governance, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent to the statute barred Digital Forensics Bill.

In a paper signed by Nelson Ossaieze, Executive Director and Convener African Leadership Strategy and Transparency for Development Initiative (ALSDI) Themed; DEFENDING CONSTITUTIONAL SUPREMACY: A CALL ON PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU TO WITHHOLD ASSENT TO THE STATUTE-BARRED DIGITAL FORENSICS BILL, the body considers it a duty to alert Nigerians to a matter of urgent constitutional importance concerning the Bill for the establishment of the Chartered Institute of Digital Forensics of Nigeria.

According to the body, “Official records available to our organisation confirm that the Bill was transmitted to the President through the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly under a covering letter dated 23rd February 2026 and was duly received by the Presidency on 25th February 2026.

Section 58(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, provides in clear and mandatory terms that the President shall, within thirty days of receiving a Bill, signify assent or withhold assent. By operation of this provision, the constitutional period for presidential action expired on 25th March 2026.

‘This position is clear, definitive, and not open to manipulation or administrative discretion.
The Bill in question is now statute-barred. Any attempt to grant assent outside the constitutionally prescribed time frame would amount to a direct violation of the Constitution and a dangerous precedent for executive overreach.”

ALSTDI stated that “it is deeply concerned by credible reports indicating that certain promoters of the Bill are actively seeking to bypass due process and influence the assent process despite the expiration of the constitutional timeline. Even more disturbing are reports that these actors have expressed confidence that assent will be secured irrespective of the clear legal position.

Such conduct is unacceptable. It undermines the authority of the Constitution and erodes public trust in democratic institutions.

“It is important to recall that during the public hearing process at the National Assembly, the Bill faced strong and consistent opposition from key stakeholders within Nigeria’s security, regulatory, and anti-corruption framework. Institutions including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Information Technology Development Agency, the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission raised substantive concerns regarding the necessity, structure, and potential implications of the proposed institute.”

Adding that “the alignment of these critical national institutions in opposition to the Bill raises serious concerns about its credibility and its alignment with the broader public interest.

The decision to proceed with the passage of the Bill in the face of these objections calls for scrutiny and raises questions about legislative judgment and due consideration of expert input.

ALSTDI expresses confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a leader who understands the weight of constitutional responsibility and the necessity of upholding democratic principles. The office of the President must remain a guardian of the Constitution and not an avenue for legitimising procedural violations.”

In view of the foregoing, ALSDI firmly calls on the President to take the following actions:
“Acknowledge that the Bill has exceeded the constitutional thirty-day window for presidential action and is therefore statute-barred; Decline assent to the Bill in its current form in order to preserve constitutional integrity; Reject any form of pressure or influence aimed at subverting due process and the rule of law and Advise the promoters of the Bill to return to the National Assembly and commence a fresh legislative process in full compliance with constitutional requirements and stakeholder engagement.”

Finally, it stated that “Nigeria’s democracy is anchored on the supremacy of the Constitution. Constitutional timelines are binding obligations and not optional guidelines. Any deviation from this principle weakens institutional credibility and sets a precedent that may be exploited in the future to undermine lawful governance.

Even, as ALSTDI remains resolute in its commitment to defending constitutional democracy, safeguarding the integrity of legislative processes, and ensuring that public institutions serve the collective interest of the Nigerian people.”