Chidi Samuel| The federal government on Thursday warned that using subscribers’ identity module (SIM) or enjoying any government service without a national identification number (NIN) will attract a seven or 14 years jail term or fine.
Nigeria’s minister of communication and digital economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami gave the warning on Thursday while briefing journalists in Abuja on the NIN to SIM linking directive.
Pantami said, “We only said submit your national identity number to the mobile operator, then citizens said we don’t have it, let’s go and obtain it, then the first question, why did you fail to obtain it until when the issue of SIM came up.
“National Identity is a law and it’s mandatory and for you to conduct certain activities without the number is an offence. For you to get a voter’s card in Nigeria based on Section 27 of the NIMC Act, it is an offence.
“For you to open a bank account without a National Identity Number is an offence. For you to pay tax is an offence. For you to collect pension it is an offence.
“For you to enjoy any government service without having a National Identity Number is an offence.
“Section 29 says if you do any of these in Sec 27 without obtaining National Identity, you have committed a crime that will lead to fine or imprisonment or both of them and this is 14 years note today.”
The minister said his duty to President Muhammadu Buhari was to ensure laws and policies of government are implemented.
“With all sense of humility, Mr. President has appointed me to ensure laws and policies of government are implemented. I am not the kind of person that will be appointed to sit down and continue drinking tea like this. It is impossible.
“Any responsibility given to me must be obeyed. This is my nature, when I feel that I can’t, I will clear the scene for someone to occupy the position. But so long as I am there, I must enforce the law.”
The minister who stated that Nigerians will appreciate the effort put in place in years to come, however, explained that owning a SIM in the country is not mandatory, however, insisted that NIN is mandatory for SIM users.
“NIN is mandatory, SIM is not mandatory, it is optional. If I say I will not use SIM in Nigeria, nobody will take me to court. It is optional, but this number is mandatory.
“So, why do we fail to comply to mandatory law until and unless we want to enjoy the privilege of using a SIM which is optional in our lives. However as the minister of communications, I will appreciate it if you continue using your SIM,” he said.
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