The Nigerian Communication Commission is contemplating the introduction of regulations that will criminalize the use of mobile lines for fraudulent activities, according to a statement by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Aminu Maida.
Maida made this disclosure during a meeting with media practitioners in Lagos on Thursday.
Maida highlighted the absence of consequences for using mobile lines in fraudulent schemes as a key issue that needs to be addressed.
He stated, “People are using mobile numbers for a lot of frauds today, and this is because there is no consequence. We are coming up with a regulation that will make sure there is a consequence for using your mobile for fraud.”
The proposed regulation is expected to be developed later this year, aiming to curb fraudulent activities facilitated through mobile lines.
Maida expressed concern over the unauthorized use of other people’s lines for fraud, emphasizing the need for Nigerian banks to regularly validate the ownership of numbers linked to bank accounts.
He attributed the risks of fraud to the recycling and resale of mobile lines not in use for a specific period.
Maida outlined the Commission’s strategic focus for the year, stating, “We want to protect the integrity of our mobile numbers. When we don’t use it for a while, it has to be recycled, and this exposes people to fraud. We want to create more awareness about this so that people can understand that there is a window during which if they do not use their line, it can be allocated to another person.”
Additionally, the Executive Vice Chairman emphasized the NCC’s commitment to enforcing compliance within the telecommunications industry.
He stressed the need for licensees to adhere to regulatory standards and fulfill their obligations as part of any agreements.
Maida stated, “Compliance is also another driver. As a regulator, as empowered by the NCA Acts and regulations we put in place, we have the powers to hold our licensees to their obligations.”
The comments from Maida come in the context of the recent interconnect debt dispute between telecom giants MTN and Globacom.
The NCC had initially permitted MTN to partially disconnect Glo due to the debt issue but later announced an extension after the companies reached some agreements.
Maida expects a full resolution of the issues between the telecom operators within the extended 21-day period.
