CSO asks Tinubu to withhold assent to ‘statute-barred’ digital forensics bill

CSO asks Tinubu to withhold assent to ‘statute-barred’ digital forensics bill

The African Leadership Strategy and Transparency for Development Initiative (ALSTDI), a civil society organisation (CSO), has asked President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the digital forensics bill.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, ALSTDI said the bill has become statute-barred following the expiration of the constitutional deadline for presidential action.

The CSO noted that the bill, which seeks to establish the Chartered Institute of Digital Forensics of Nigeria, was transmitted to the presidency on February 25, 2026.

The group said by virtue of section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the president is required to assent to or withhold assent to a bill within 30 days of receipt.

“By operation of this provision, the constitutional period for presidential action expired on 25th March 2026,” the statement reads.

“This position is clear, definitive, and not open to manipulation or administrative discretion.”

Nelson Ossaieze, executive director of ALSTDI, said any attempt to assent to the bill outside the constitutional timeframe would amount to a breach of the constitution.

“The bill in question is now statute-barred. Any attempt to grant assent outside the constitutionally prescribed timeframe would amount to a direct violation of the Constitution and a dangerous precedent for executive overreach,” Ossaieze said.

He also alleged that there are moves to secure presidential assent despite the expiration of the deadline.

“We are 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,” he said.

“Even more disturbing are reports that these actors have expressed confidence that assent will be secured irrespective of the clear legal position.”

He further said the bill faced opposition from key stakeholders during the public hearing at the national assembly, including the office of the national security adviser (ONSA), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Ossaieze said the alignment of these institutions against the bill raises concerns about its credibility and public interest value.

He urged the president to decline assent to the bill and advise its promoters to return to the national assembly to begin a fresh legislative process.

“Nigeria’s democracy is anchored on the supremacy of the constitution. Constitutional timelines are binding obligations and not optional guidelines,” he said.