Leaked Audio: NCC Clears Air on Phone Tracking, Leaking Allegations

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has denied allegations and insinuations that it may be a party to a leaked telephone conversation that went viral on Saturday with so much controversies trailing it.

The leaked audio was between Mr. Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party in the February 25 general election and Pastor David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church otherwise known as Winners Chappel.

The commission in statement on Tuesday by its Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka said it has been inundated with enquiries by the media on allegations of telephone tracking and leakage made against the Commission by some individuals and groups in the social and alternative Media.

While commission denied the allegations in their entireties, it stressed that does not and cannot leak telephone conversation of anyone.

What NCC is saying

The statement read: “The Commission wishes to make the following clarifications: The Commission denies the allegations in their entirety; by the provisions of the Nigerian Communication Act (NCA) 2003 and other extant Laws of the Federation, the Commission does not and cannot ‘track’ nor ‘leak’ telephone conversations of anyone.

“The Commission has reported the allegations, which we take seriously, to relevant security agencies for proper investigation and necessary action.

“The Commission restates its commitment to discharge its responsibilities to the Nigerian people in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the NCA 2003; and other extant Laws of the Federation; and global best practices.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission denies these allegations and advises the public to disregard them.”

Background

In an audio clip which went on Saturday, Obi was heard asking Oyedepo to help spread his message to Christians in the South-West and parts of North-Central.

He said, “Daddy, I need you to speak to your people in the South-West and Kwara, the Christians in the South-West and Kwara, this is a religious war.”

In response, Oyedepo said, “I believe that, I believe that, I believe that. If this works, you people will never regret the support.”

Reacting, Valentine Obienyem, a media aide to Obi, said the leaked audio of his principal’s conversation with Oyedepo was edited out of context.

Also, Oyedepo said on Sunday that he never campaigned for any politician or spoke on their behalf in the build-up to the general elections.

Oyedepo, while speaking to the congregation at the church’s headquarters, Faith Tabernacle, Ota, Ogun State, said, “I have never campaigned for anybody or spoken on anybody’s behalf and I will not do that till I go to heaven.

“There is no (political) party in this country that didn’t come to me for prayers and advice.”