Human rights lawyer, Tope Temokun, has strongly condemned the directive issued by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, banning staff of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) and the Department of Land Administration from entering their offices with mobile phones.
In a statement made available to Chronicle Reporters on Wednesday, Temokun described the controversial policy as “embarrassing, unconstitutional, and a gross assault on democratic values and labour rights.”
Earlier reports revealed that Minister Wike had ordered a sweeping restriction on the use of mobile phones by AGIS and Land Administration staff. The internal memo, signed by the Head of AGIS, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, targets officers on Salary Grade Level 14 and below, barring them from bringing their phones into office premises starting Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Temokun criticised the directive as discriminatory, arbitrary, and motivated by executive paranoia, arguing that it was an attempt to suppress transparency within the FCT Administration.
“The directive of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory banning staff of AGIS and the Department of Land Administration, particularly officers on Grade Level 14 and below, from entering their offices with mobile phones, is not only embarrassing and disrespectful of citizens’ rights — it also represents a gross assault on democratic values, labour rights, and constitutional freedoms,” he said.
The Lagos-based lawyer linked the timing of the ban to a recent viral video showing Minister Wike’s altercation with a naval officer at a disputed property site in Abuja, suggesting that the order was a reactionary move rather than a legitimate administrative measure.
“That the directive was issued barely twenty-four hours after a video of the Minister’s altercation went viral, allegedly shared among AGIS staff, shows cowardice and fear of public scrutiny. This ban is a punitive reaction born of executive anger, not policy reasoning,” Temokun stated.
He further argued that governance in a democracy must be guided by law, not personal temperament or vindictiveness.
“Governance must be guided by law, logic, and restraint — not the temperament of office holders. When a minister wields power to regulate the personal communication rights of public servants, he assumes the role of a maximum ruler who seeks accountability from others but avoids being held accountable himself,” he said.
Citing sections 39(1) and 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Temokun maintained that the ban violates the freedom of expression and right to privacy of affected staff.
“Section 39(1) guarantees freedom of expression, including the right to receive and impart information without interference. Section 37 protects the privacy of citizens. A directive that bars civil servants from possessing mobile phones within their workplace is a restriction on these constitutional rights,” he argued.
Temokun also warned that no ministerial circular can override the Constitution, describing the order as unlawful and unenforceable.
From a labour perspective, he noted that the directive breaches Section 254C(1)(f) of the Constitution and violates International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions on equality and fair treatment.
“A workplace policy that singles out certain officers for discriminatory restrictions is a breach of fair labour practices. It is psychological coercion intended to instill fear rather than promote discipline or efficiency,” he said.
The lawyer accused Wike of attempting to “erect a wall of secrecy” around public administration and shield the FCT Administration from scrutiny.
“By forbidding staff from carrying mobile phones — tools that facilitate both work and reportage — Wike’s directive seeks to conceal official misconduct and administrative impunity. This is a dangerous precedent,” he warned.
Temokun called on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and civil society organisations to jointly challenge the policy.
“The FCT Administration must urgently rescind this ill-conceived directive. The NHRC, NLC, and civil society must rise to defend workers’ rights and democratic governance,” he said.
He concluded with a sharp rebuke of the minister’s approach:
“Those who wield power but cannot control their temper must be reminded that personal anger cannot be made the source of law.”
The directive has continued to generate widespread criticism from rights groups and civil servants, many of whom view it as a deliberate attempt to stifle accountability within the FCT Administration.