By Emmanuel Elebeke

Stakeholders in the nation’s telecommunications industry yesterday openly disagreed with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC on its planned introduction of lawful interception and licensing regulations.

They argued that even though, the Commission is empowered in its Act to make regulations, such must pass through the legislative procedure to invalidate the existing laws in the constitution.

This position was canvassed at the public inquiries on the draft, Lawful Interception of Communications (LI) Regulations and Licensing Regulations organized by the NCC.

The draft LI Regulations aims to provide a legal and regulatory framework for the lawful interception of communications in Nigeria as well as the collection and disclosure of intercepted communications.

Also, it is expected to specify the nature and type of communications to be intercepted, penalties for non-compliance and measures to safeguard the privacy of citizens as contained and guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution.