The federal minister for communication and digital economy, Dr. Isa Pantami has debunked recent reports that he said Nigerians without National identification Number (NIN) risk up to 14 years in prison.
During a meeting organized by the media department of the presidential villa, Abuja, Dr. Pantami had stated that citizens without NIN had no right to enjoy basic services provided by the government, and doing so is punishable under the law.
According to the statement: “For you to enjoy any government service without having a National Identity Number is an offence. Section 29 says If you do any of these in Section 27 without obtaining National Identity, you have committed a crime that will lead to fine or imprisonment or both of them and this is 14 years.”
The minister has clarified that he meant ’14 years in existence of the NIMC commission’, not ’14 years imprisonment.’
This has been qouted out of context. Pantami has not mentioned "14 years imprisonment." But said NIMC has been 14 years in existence, since 2007. Since the session has been recorded by journalists. It is better to release the video for public to listen to it, please. Best wishes! https://t.co/2z3nr69vOw
— Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim, CON (@ProfIsaPantami) April 1, 2021
He made the clarification via his official twitter account: “This has been qouted out of context. Pantami has not mentioned “14 years imprisonment.” But said NIMC has been 14 years in existence, since 2007. Since the session has been recorded by journalists. It is better to release the video for public to listen to it, please. Best wishes!”
