NCC Goes After Telco CEOs, Threatens ‘MTN Type’ Sanctions

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has invited heads of major Nigerian telecoms companies to its Abuja headquarters over rising cases of fraud perpetrated using pre-registered SIM cards.

At a meeting scheduled for Monday with the Chief Executive officers (CEOs) of the telecoms companies, NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman, Umar Danbatta, will severely reprimand the Telcos for not adhering strictly to the Commission’s directives.

“NCC has come under increased pressure as a result of the crimes committed with such SIM cards,” a source told The Cable.

“The commission is set to impose not only the MTN type of sanction but will now go after the executives of culprit operators who might face prosecution.

“If no action is taken, distortions may occur in the 149 million SIM database. NCC recognises the importance of having a complete database of registered SIM cards in order to aid the work of the security outfits in the country hence the renewed effort to ensure they are properly registered,” the source said.

The NCC, it would be recalled, had in October 2015 fined MTN N1.04 trillion after the telecoms company failed to disconnect over 5.1 million unregistered SIM cards on its network.