TheCable

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it will arrest and prosecute anyone involved in the sale or use of pre-registered subscriber identification module (SIM) cards.

In a statement on Wednesday, Reuben Muoka, NCC’s director of public affairs, said the resolution was in line with the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003; and the commission’s registration of telephone subscribers regulations of 2011.

Muoka said the commission regularly undertakes monitoring and enforcement activities to ensure that all stakeholders comply with the extant laws, regulations, and directives as they apply to telecom governance in Nigeria.

“In a recent monitoring and enforcement exercise by the commission, some suspects were arrested, handed over to the law enforcement agencies, prosecuted and have been convicted,” the statement reads.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission wishes to reiterate that both the sale and use of fraudulently registered SIM cards are illegal.

“The commission has also taken note of reports indicating that the illegal acts are perpetrated to commit or aid the commission of other criminal acts such as armed robbery, kidnapping, financial fraud, terrorism, and sundry offences.

“It is, therefore, important that members of the public take note that the laws, subsidiary legislations, and guidelines guiding SIM card registration in Nigeria are still in force and forbid anyone from indulging in any activity relating to the sale and use of pre-registered SIM cards in Nigeria.”