Reps Consider Special Secrecy Law For DSS, NIA, DIA, Others
The House of Representatives is considering a new law that guides the operations of security and intelligence agencies in Nigeria, which will especially propose stricter conditions for information gathering and sharing by security agents. The National Security Agencies Personnel Identity Protection Bill 2021, which is awaiting second reading by the House, will supersede the existing Official Secrets Act when it is passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and signed into law. The title of the legislation breads, ‘A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Protection of the Identity of National Security Agencies Personnel, Agents, Sources, Informants and Operational Methods from Unlawful Disclosure, and to Protect their Establishment Against Unauthorised Access, as Well as Provide for the Promotion and Enhancement of Nigeria’s External Security and for Purposes Connected Therewith.’ The sponsor of the bill said, “The bill seeks to protect the identity of personnel of the national security agencies, their agents, informants, sources, their agents, informants, sources and other classified information from unauthorised disclosure, as well as to protect intelligence facilities, installations and equipment against unauthorised access and proscribes penalties for violation of its provisions.” The bill also defines “security agency” in the proposed law to mean the NIA, DIA, DSS, NSCDC, ICPC, EFCC and the NPF.
