CSO Urges Bola Ahmed Tinubu To Reject Digital Forensics Bill Over Constitutional Deadline

A civil society organisation, African Leadership Strategy and Transparency for Development Initiative, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent to the Digital Forensics Bill, arguing that the proposed legislation has become constitutionally invalid after missing the deadline required for presidential action.

In a statement issued Monday in Abuja, the group said the bill, which seeks to establish the Chartered Institute of Digital Forensics of Nigeria, was forwarded to the Presidency on February 25, 2026, and has exceeded the 30-day constitutional window allowed for assent or rejection.

According to the organisation, Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) clearly provides that the President must communicate assent or withhold assent within 30 days of receiving any bill passed by the National Assembly.

The group noted that the deadline expired on March 25, 2026, stressing that any approval outside that period would amount to a breach of constitutional provisions.

Executive Director of ALSTDI, Nelson Ossaieze, warned that endorsing the bill after the expiration date would set what he described as a dangerous precedent.

He said: “The bill 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 further alleged that there were ongoing moves by some promoters of the bill to secure presidential assent despite the constitutional limitation.

He expressed concern over reports suggesting that certain interests were attempting to influence the assent process, insisting that constitutional provisions must remain supreme in legislative matters.

The civil society group also recalled that the bill faced resistance during its public hearing at the National Assembly, with several key institutions reportedly opposing its passage. These include the Office of the National Security Adviser, National Information Technology Development Agency, Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

According to ALSTDI, opposition from these agencies raises serious concerns about the necessity, relevance and credibility of the proposed legislation.

The organisation urged President Tinubu to decline assent and direct the promoters of the bill to return to the legislative process if they still wish to pursue the proposal.

It added that strict adherence to constitutional timelines remains essential to protecting democratic governance and preventing abuse of executive powers.