Yemisi Izuora
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on Sunday, advised President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the registration of National Identity Number (NIN), and withdraw the threat to block SIM cards.
Furthermore, the SERAP implored the president to instruct the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami; as well as the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC) Mr Aliyu Abubakar to stop the move.
According to the group, data being sought already exist in several platforms; including the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), driver’s license, international passport, and voters’ card.
The organization also urged President Buhari “to instruct Mr Pantami and Mr Abubakar to take concrete measures to promptly ensure that the NIMC is able to faithfully and effectively discharge its statutory functions to harmonize and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies into the National Identity Database, and to use the information to update SIM card registration.”
SERAP in a letter dated 19 December 2020 and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said; “No government has the right to strip its own people of their basic rights under the guise of registration for national identity number. If the authorities continue down this path; the threats to citizens’ rights such as the rights to freedom of expression and access to information; will inevitably increase, and the NIMC, will remain a paper tiger.”
“Instead of forcing Nigerians to register, threatening telecom service providers with sanctions; exposing Nigerians to the risks of COVID-19, your government ought to make sure that the NIMC discharges its statutory functions; to harmonize and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies, and make use of the information collected.”
Further, SERAP added: “The request for Nigerians to register for NIN is burdensome, unjustified and unnecessary. It would end up serving no other purpose than to threaten and violate the rights of Nigerians; create a ‘chilling effect’ on citizens’ ability to participate in the fight against corruption in the country; thereby seriously undermining the government’s oft-repeated commitment to transparency and accountability.”
The letter, reads, “There is neither a pressing legal or practical need for this registration; which threatens Nigerians’ human rights, especially at a time your government is warning Nigerians about the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.”
“Blocking Nigerians from using their SIM cards would amount to a blatant violation of their rights to freedom of expression; access to information, and have a ‘chilling effect’ on the enjoyment of other human rights.
“We would be grateful if your government would indicate the measures being taken to stop the unnecessary registration of NIN; withdraw the threat to block SIM cards, and take concrete measures to promptly ensure that the NIMC is able to faithfully discharge its statutory functions to harmonize and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies into the National Identity Database, within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If we have not heard from you by then as to the steps being taken in this direction, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to implement these recommendations in the interest of millions of Nigerians.
“SERAP notes that the information on individuals currently being sought by your government already exists in several platforms, including through multiple citizen’s collection data platforms such as the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), international passport, driver’s license, SIM card registration and voters’ card.”
The letter is copied to Mr Abubakar Malami SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Pantami, and Mr Abubakar.
Oriental News Nigeria, reports that the Federal Government had threatened that SIM cards not linked to NIN by 30 December 2020; would be blocked or restricted from the networks.
Also, telecom service providers that failed to block phone numbers without NIN would have their operating licenses withdrawn.