Controversy as NCC Denies Asking Nigerians for Phone ID Numbers

For several hours yesterday, GSM subscribers fumed on social media following reports that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had asked Nigerians to submit the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of their handsets not later than July 1.

The reports came amidst the ongoing mandatory linkage of subscribers’ National Identification Numbers (NIN) to their phone numbers.

IMEI is the serial number that manufacturer assigns to cellular devices.

The 15-digit number is transmitted every time a phone is used to reveals the identity of the mobile handset.

The NCC however said in a statement last night that subscribers are not required to submit their IMEI numbers.

It said it is in the process of deploying a Device Management System to protect subscribers against phone theft and other sundry offences associated with mobile telecommunications.

The Director of Public Affairs of the NCC, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, said at no time did the Commission “issue a statement regarding the registration of IMEI by subscribers and it has no plans to do so.”

He said: “The reports in question have emanated from a section of the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari and which has been uploaded on the Commission’s website.

“It is pertinent to state that the Commission is in the process of deploying a Device Management System (DMS). The DMS will essentially protect subscribers against phone theft and will identify and enable the elimination of fake devices from the networks. The system will capture IMEI automatically without any requirement for subscribers to submit same.

“The general public is advised to disregard the said publications which have created the erroneous impression that telephone subscribers will be required to register their IMEI with their networks.”

Subscribers vow to defy ‘directive’ on IMEI

Before the NCC’s denial, many subscribers had taken to social media to berate the federal government for trying to ‘invade their privacy’.

According to them, asking for the IMEIs of subscribers’ phones was a violation of Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution which provides as follows: “The privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications is hereby guaranteed and protected.”

A Twitter user Ayemojubar @ayemojubar said: The gimmick NCC is trying to play with IMEI is even against what was stated in Section 37 of 1999 constitution as crooked as it is, while another, Elvis Tunde ’ @Tunnykvng, said: “From NIN to IMEI, what else will this government tell us to do?”

Olawale Ebenzy @ebenzy said: “Is Isa Pantami sure he won’t be needing our phone’s password, and probably our email password as well. IMEI won’t be enough o.

Karl @cafills vowed to “die of cholera than submit my imei to the nigerian govt”, and Mad Oh @Ebuka_001 said: “NIN, I have not done… now IMEI. Please which one will stop me from being a Nigerian, because I don tire…

Reports on the purported demand for IMEIs had apparently stemmed from the NCC’s Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration.

The revised policy reads in part: “Accordingly, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has directed that the Device Management System should be implemented within three months.

“With the aim to curtail the counterfeit mobile phone market, discourage mobile phone theft, enhance National Security, protect consumer interest, increase revenue generation for the government, reduce the rate of kidnapping, mitigate the use of stolen phones for crime, and facilitate blocking or tracing of stolen mobile phones and other smart devices, one of the means to achieve this is through the deployment of Device Management System.

“The implementation of a Centralised Equipment Identity Register otherwise known as Device Management System will serve as a repository for keeping records of all registered mobile phones’ International Mobile Equipment Identity and owners of such devices.

“IMEIs that have been reported as either stolen or illegal will be shared through the DMS to all the operators and service providers.”