A Grade 1 Area Court Nyanya, Abuja, and the Senior Magistrate Court, Kano, have convicted seven men for SIM card registration infringements.
They were charged with violating the SIM card registration law, respectively, on September 4 and October 24.
The action was coordinated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in conjunction with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The convicts include Bako Joseph Boy, Umar Kabiru Abdullahi, Lawal Sani, Shamsuddin Aliyu, George Eze, Ayuba Ishak and Kabiru Ali.
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NCC’s Statement
NCC Director of Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, spoke on the commitment of the Commission to fighting such crime.
He said the Commission is yielding results as they are eradicating cybercrime issues and other criminal activities.
Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde
Precisely, he stated that the Commission charged the first convict, Bako, for the sale of SIM cards outside a controlled area.
Others were arraigned for selling illegally registered SIM cards.
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In his statement, he said:
“The offences were contrary to section 517 of the Criminal Code Act; Section 65 (1) of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 and Section 65 (2) of the NCC Act, 2003 and punishable under the same Act.”
However, he added that:
“The suspects, who pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against them were subsequently convicted as charged and sentenced to two months imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of N15,000 and six months imprisonment or the option of fine in the sum of N20,000.”
Additionally, Adinde explained that before the arrest of the offenders, there was a signing of a Memorandum between NCC, NSCDC, DSS.
It was to strengthen inter-agency collaboration to restrain those selling preregistered SIM cards.
As it gives room to activities like threats, kidnapping, theft, bullying, and many more.
Finally, the Commission is calling out to the public to stop the illegal sale and use of pre-registered SIM card as its a punishable offence.
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