John Aikpokpo-Martins, a former first vice president of the Nigerian Bar Association, has called on the National Assembly to investigate the alleged tapping of a phone conversation between the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo.
A leaked audio of the conversation has caused controversy on the social media.
While the Labour Party claimed the audio was doctored, the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign team alleged that Obi’s alleged religious disposition made him unfit to rule Nigeria.
Aikpokpo-Martins stressed that the alleged phone tapping should not be taken lightly, but should be viewed as a total violation of constitutional rights to privacy.
He urged the NASS to go ahead and investigate the matter, citing the 1999 constitution, which guarantees the right to privacy for all Nigerians.
Should the government agencies be found to be involved in the leaked audio, Aikpokpo-Martins believed it could be dangerous for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“On this trending “yes daddy” issue, I urge us to take a step backwards and ponder beyond the politics of it.
“Assuming but not conceding that the leaked conversation is true; who recorded and leaked it?
“How safe are our conversations and constitutionally guaranteed right to privacy in this country?
” Are our phones wired and our calls monitored and eavesdropped on?
“Are the “eavedroppers” officials of the government?
” I think these questions ought to agitate our minds beyond the hilarity of “yes daddy” by the ever boisterous us.
“In my opinion, this is not a matter to laugh over and move on as usual; it may be the dawn of a dangerous new era.
“I call on the National Assembly to immediately investigate this issue.
“I hope the unlawful recording and leaking of the phone conversation is not official exuberance taken too far, it will be too grave.
“This is not a joking matter because what goes around will surely come around,” he stated.
