The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned telecoms operators, SIM card vendors, retailers and the general public over the selling or use of pre-registered SIM cards.
NCC's head, media and public relations, Reuben Muoka, said in a statement that the selling pre-registered new SIM cards to the members of the public by vendors or retailers, and use of such cards by anybody whatsoever, contravenes the regulation on registration of phone subscribers.
He said such person or persons shall be liable on conviction to a fine, or imprisonment, or both, in line with the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
Muoka said the commission would also hold network service providers liable when such cards are found to be in use as they are expected to ensure that new SIM cards are not pre-registered before they are sold to members of the public through their various channels.
He said the commission was using the opportunity to reiterate the prescription in the process of the current on-going SIM card registration exercise in the country, which presupposes that all newly purchased SIM cards can only receive calls while the buyers are expected to go to their particular network provider of that SIM to register his or her own SIM card.
Those found to be involved in this illegality will face arrest, detention, investigation, prosecution and sanction in line with the provisions of the Communications Act, he added.
He also warned the public to desist from buying pre-registered SIM as they will also be liable if such a SIM card is in any way connected to any crime or misuse.
“Members of the public are advised to go to their operators to register their new SIM cards. Do not be tempted to buy pre-registered new SIM cards when the registration is free”, he said.
The commission has intensified efforts on creating awareness to educate the public on the need to register their SIM cards before the expiration of the registration exercise on 28 September.
SIM cards are hawked along the streets in all major cities in Nigeria at less than $2 but some vendors have perfected the act of selling already registered SIM to the public at higher rates of between $5 and $10.
The SIM registration exercise is currently concentrated in cities while a lot of mobile phone users in rural areas are still not aware of the need to have their SIM registered.
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