Udora Orizu in Abuja
The House of Representatives has mandated the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to as a matter of urgency sanction all mobile network operators whose agents are involved in aiding and abetting SIM Swap Fraud in Nigeria.
This, according to the lawmakers, would compel them to adhere strictly to guidelines as well as serve as deterrent to future offenders.
The House had on July 25, 2019 resolved to investigate the alleged Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) swap by service providers in the telecommunication and banking sectors, following the adoption of a motion moved by Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Ibezi, titled: ‘Increasing incidents of SIM swap fraud.’
The lawmakers had unanimously resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to conduct an investigative hearing on the matter, with a view to determining ways that banks and telecommunications operators could collaborate in devising measures to combat the menace.
Approving the recommendations of the report of the ad-hoc Committee chaired by the Chairman Rules and Business, Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata, at the plenary yesterday, the lawmakers also urged the NCC to grant Mobile Network Operators at least a (view-only) access to the SIM Registration Data and Biometrics during SIM Replacement/swap exercise.
They also agreed that there was need for the amendment of the relevant laws particularly the NCC Act 2003, to allow for Biometric SIM Swap as well as allow MNOs to collect, store and use (view only) customer information during the SIM Swap process.
The lawmakers also urged banks to implement a mandatory second level authentication for mobile transactions to create an extra hurdle for potential criminals who seek to gain access to customers’ bank accounts.
Other recommendations included, “that NCC should carry out regular audit exercises on SIM registration and ensure that SIMs not properly registered are promptly deactivated.
“That there is a need for mandatory use of the National Identification Number (NIN) as required by section 27 of the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, to be adopted as a requirement by MNOs for SIM registration – by linking National ID to a SIM card number, and validation/verification of a customer’s identification credentials against the central government identity database.”
Others were that the NCC, CBN; banks and MNOs, “should come up with a way to validate the veracity of transactions by sending a follow-up notification to users via other registered numbers and security questions.
“That NCC, CBN, MNOs, Banks and National Orientation Agency (NOA) should be urged to collaborate and engage in a public awareness campaign that would sensitise Nigerians on the menace of SIM Swap fraud and dangers of sharing or giving out their identification documents such as passport, PIN, Debit/Credit cards, BVN, and any other documents containing their personal information with people they do not trust to avoid identity theft.
“That effort should be concentrated on the prevention of unauthorised SIM Swap.”
Meanwhile, the lawmakers at the plenary received the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) report laid by the Chairman House Committee on Finance, Hon. James Faleke.
The Committee last month held an eight -day interactive session with ministers and heads of revenue generating agencies of government to defend the revenue estimates outlined by President Muhammadu Buhari in the document which he had submitted to them for approval in July.
The Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, receiving the report, directed the Chairman House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Hassan Fulata to schedule a date for consideration of the recommendations.
In the recommendations which were listed in the order paper, the Committee retained the exchange rate of N410.15 per dollar proposed by the Executive and the projected Gross Domestic Product growth rate of 4.20 percent.
The lawmakers also retained the projected Inflation rate of 13 percent Fiscal deficit estimate of N5.62 trillion. They further retained Buhari’s projected new borrowings of N4.89 trillion.
