Major-General Chris Olukolade, Director, Defence information, - TopicsExpress



          

Major-General Chris Olukolade, Director, Defence information, presents the keynote address on: Protecting Sensitive National Security Information in the Age of Freedom of Information at the Africa Regional Conference on Freedom of Information Implementation #ARCFOI. Olukolade said: “Open government is a norm in democracy and citizens have the right of access to government information.” He said in order to allow for public oversight with the law, greater disclosure is expected in the conduct of government business. He noted that: “FOI has implication for sensitive security information i.e. classified information.” He however noted that the FOI law has provision to ensure the protection of defence information adding that the public’s right to know must be balanced against national security. This, he noted, is this is as the country grapple with internal and external security threats. He said: “Protecting national security information is a fundamental activity in defence administration.” He added that this is provided for in the National Security Agencies Act, the National Defence Policy and the FOI Act itself. He noted that without information flow, communication within the system would simply grind to a halt. He disclosed that classification would generally range from the non-risk information to the high risk or top secret information. He said the non-risk information is generally made available on demand or exists in the public domain while the top secret information is restricted. He said the enemy laying hands on top secret information may use it to sabotage our national defence strategy. He stressed that institutionally, the military restrict information to certain officers within its ranks to prevent mishandling, adding that the secrecy of a document is usually hierarchical; the higher an officer is up the ladder the greater his access to secret documents. He also noted that: “Be that as it may sensitive information may fall into the hands of unauthorised personnel.” Major General Olukolade made reference to Edward Snowden and, as he puts it, the embarrassment he is currently causing the United States government. He said the challenge is to ensure that sensitive security information is processed and stored in such a way that only authorised personnel can access them. He added that: “the important thing to note here in protecting information is to recognise that information has a life-cycle.” “The task is to make sure that information is organized and controlled all through its life circle from creation, to use, and final disposal.” Major General Olukolade noted that citizens of Nigeria are now more interested in national security issues. He noted that in spite of allowances granted under the FOI Act however, the military has been promoting the principles of the responsibility to report. He disclosed that training on Media Relations has been added as a package in the various tactical operational and strategic level training for the military. He said despite the gravity of our security situation, Government has no restriction that could be said to abuse Johannesburg Principles on National Security’. Olukolade noted that security agencies have been generally careful in enforcing or demanding compliance with laws that could impugn on freedom of expression. He cited Principle 3 of the Johannesburg Principles of National Security Freedom of Expression and Access to Information which prescribes that “In time of public emergency which threatens the life of the country and the existence of which is officially and lawfully proclaimed in accordance with both national and international law, a state may impose restrictions on freedom of expression and information but only to the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation and only when and for so long as they are not inconsistent with the governments other obligations under international law.” He said the National Assembly, in its oversight function on FOI Act has provided a platform for interaction between security agencies and stakeholders on the Act. He noted that FOI Act removes the aura of mystery with which public institutions clothe information adding that this clearly has implications for national security. He said the Official Secrets Act protects public officials from the disclosure of information that has national security implications but noted that some legal commentators have stated that the FOI Act is superior to and supersedes the Official Secrets Act. Olukolade said the FOIA does not have the same effect on the National Security Agencies Act because this Act is entrenched in the constitution. He added that though the Freedom of access to information is legally enforceable, it is not absolute. He said there are statutory and institutional framework for the protection of sensitive security information. He implored advocacy bodies to accept hand of fellowship with security agencies to promote the spirit of the FOI Act.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 11:03:26 +0000

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