NIN: NIMC Reads Riot Act To Extortionists, Insists Registration Is Free

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), on Thursday, read the Riot Act to officials allegedly engaging on extortion of applicants seeking to enroll for the National Identification Number (NIN).

This is coming at the backdrop of BIGPEN report that hundreds of applicants seeking to be register for the National Identity Number (NIN), had alleged fraud being perpetrated by NIMC’s officials in Effurun, Uvwie Council Area of Delta State.

The report says at Effurun, investigation revealed that the officials at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) office located at the council secretariat allegedly hoard the forms which they sell to higher bidders between N5,000 and N3,000.

But in a tweet on Thursday, NIMC warned that those who extort applicants risk a seven-year jail term if found guilty of the offence.

While citing Sections 14, 20 and 21 of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Act and Sections 10 and 12 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, NIMC said the offence is punishable in accordance with the laws.

NIN enrollment is free, report extortion. @DrIsaPantami @aliyuaziz@FMoCDENigeria@NgComCommission@NITDANigeria@NIPOSTNG @UwaSuleiman #DigitalNigeria #digitalidentity pic.twitter.com/AHFSA6qg0f

— NIMC (@nimc_ng) December 31, 2020

The commission also asked Nigerians to report such cases of extortion for diligent prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others.

“The punishment for extortion if convicted is seven years of imprisonment as stipulated in Sections 14, 20 and 21 of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Act and Sections 10 and 12 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act,” NIMC said.

“Report extortion via actu@nimc.gov.ng or call 08157691214 or 08157691071,” the National Identity Management Commission added.