Reps to probe telcos over ‘unauthorised’ linkage of subscribers’ SIMs to NINs

The house of representatives has resolved to investigate telecommunications companies (telcos) over unauthorised linkage of subscribers’ national identification numbers (NIN) with phone numbers.

The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during a plenary session on Wednesday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance.

The motion was sponsored by Patrick Umoh, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member from Akwa Ibom, and Julius Ihonvbere, the house majority leader.

The NIN-SIM linkage policy began in December 2020, following a federal government directive to telcos to block unregistered SIM cards and those not linked to NINs.

Moving the motion, Umoh said there are reports of telcos linking NINs to subscribers’ lines without their consent, exposing them to criminal activities and subjecting legitimate NIN holders to grave risks.

This, the lawmaker said, violates the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 which guarantee the right to privacy and protection of personal data of Nigerians.

“The potential risks and consequences of this unauthorised data linking include identity theft, financial fraud, and other forms of cybercrime that have become rife in Nigeria lately,” he said.

Umoh said innocent citizens have been wrongly implicated in crimes, suffering reputational damage, harassment, and legal challenges “for crimes they know nothing about”.

Endorsing the motion, Ibrahim Isiaka, an APC member from Ogun, claimed he was also a victim of the illegal linking, saying four phone numbers were been linked to his NIN without his consent.

The motion was adopted when it was put to a voice vote by Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker who presided over the plenary.

Following that, the house asked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to investigate the reports and sanction any telco found culpable.

The parliament also mandated the committees on communications and interior to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the matter and report back within four weeks for further legislative actions.