News
NCC Moves Against Non-Type Approved Devices, Threatens Sanction
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has cautioned the Nigerian telecom consumers about the dangers of buying Non-Type Approved telecoms devices.
This is even as the Commission warned the dealers not to patronise devices that were not type Approved by the regulator in order not to sell substandard brands to their customers.
It listed such devices as cell phones, laptops and others, and warned that sanctions will be meted on any dealer caught in selling such substandard products.
The Non-type Approved devices are those telecom devices that are of substandard quality that are not approved by the industry regulator, the NCC.
READ ALSO: NCC Introduces Unified Shortcodes For All Telecom Services [SEE NEW CODES]
Recall that the NCC has the statutory mandate as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act NCA (2003) to “Protect the rights and interests of consumers.
Speaking at the event, the NCC of Director Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mr. Akassim Umar gave the warning during a sensitization workshop organised for service consumers at the GMS Village in Abuja.
Umar, who was represented by Deputy Director Consumer Affairs Bureau, Dr. Emilia Nwokolo, listed some of the dangers of patronising Non-Type Approved devices such as: poor quality of service, short period of usage, regular repairs among others.
She therefore advised user to always look out for only Type A Approved devices before purchasing them. She also advised dealers to always insist on patronising only Type Approve devices by the NCC.
READ ALSO: Peter Obi: We Have No Power To Track, Leak Telephone Conversations – NCC
The commission also translated the message to the fractured pidgin as “Shey you know say damage dey if you sell/buy Non-type Approved Devices, as part of its efforts to take the message to the grassroot consumers.
Recall that the Commission in 2001 established the Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB) with the Mandate to Protect, Inform and Educate (PIE) telecom consumers on their nights and privileges. The Bureau is the interface between telecom consumers and Service Providers.
Addressing journalist, Dr. Nwokolo said “as you know this is the GSM village and they deal with all these devices, phones, laptops and others. And the essence of coming here is to sensitise them on the danger of selling Non-Type approved devices. Normally in NCC, we approve the devices that can be sold in the Nigerian market because some of them are substandard, so we don’t want the substandard devices to be in circulation in the market.”
On how the consumers can identify the Non-type approved devices, Dr. Nwokolo said: “First of all before you bring in or buy telecoms devices, you have to seek approval from NCC so we have to check it and if it is okay, we go ahead and type approved it.”
READ ALSO: Data Protection: We Ensure Consumer’s Voice Is Heard, Complaints Addressed – NCC
She reminded them that, there is already a fine for those that will be caught selling Non-type approved devices, adding that there are departments in the NCC responsible for monitoring and enforcement of sanctions.
Following its consumer-centric initiatives, the NCC has provided toll free line-622 for consumers to contact the commission for Complaints/Enquiries. It is free of charge and available between 8:00am to 8:00pm daily except on Sundays and National Public Holidays.
Also speaking to reporters, Chairman of the Cell Phone and Accessories Dealers of the GMS Market, Macdonald Ugochukwu Ajuogu, said his union has a platform in the market whereby anybody that deals with any phone in the market is registered with the union.
He added that they also have a task force that always checks on every produced and services that is being offered in the market.
He said “So, if it happens that somebody is selling a product either phone or computer because we also have members that deal on computers, the task force always monitors the proper distribution of these goods in this market.
READ ALSO: NIN-SIM linkage: Telcos Lost 12 Million Internet Subscribers In 2021 – NCC
“So, if there is anybody that is found wanting, the task force will always confiscate their goods. Although sometimes some of our members always cut corners, trying to do one or two things, we always advise them not to deal on non-type approved phones or laptops in the market. We don’t call them non-type approved phones in this market; we call them ‘Chinco phones.’ So, we always advise them not to indulge in it, we want them to be sincere with their customers.
“We have a constitution that states that when you violate the standard you are either fined or you are suspended.”
Others traders who spoke lamented about poor quality of service and pleaded that NCC should intervene.
Responding, the NCC Director assured them that their complaint would be taken to the telecom service providers for prompt response.
She also urged them to take advantage of the NCC short code 622 to report any complaint that may arise in the course of receiving telecom services across the country.
VANGUARD
News
New Tax Laws: Suspend January 2026 Implementation — Senator Ndume Tells Tinubu
Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend the January 1, 2026, implementation of the country’s new tax laws amid growing controversy.
The federal lawmaker made the appeal in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
This comes as the Nigerian Bar Association demanded the suspension of the implementation.
Recall that a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, had last week called the Parliament’s attention to alleged alteration to the tax laws.
READ ALSO:FIRS Confirms NIN As Tax ID
Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, in an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, called for calm over claims of alterations in tax laws and urged Nigerians to allow lawmakers to complete their investigation before drawing conclusions.
Speaking on the ongoing controversy about the tax laws, Ndume noted that proceeding with the implementation without getting to the root of the alleged forgery will create a legitimacy challenge for the tax laws.
His statement read, “With the controversy surrounding it, the President should constitute a team to verify the veracity of the claim and act accordingly.
“As the responsive leader that he has always been, he should look at it to find out if the copy that was signed and the claim of alterations are genuine so that he will do the needful to bring the controversy to rest.
READ ALSO:US Threatens To Sanction Countries That Vote For Shipping Carbon Tax
“If not, the controversy will continue.” That is to say, the tax law will not be implemented, because you can’t build on nothing.
“So, Mr. President should suspend the implementation until the issues are resolved because so many civil society organizations, the Arewa Community, and the Nigerian Bar Association are saying that he should withdraw the tax law and investigate the allegation of forgery.”
“Therefore, Mr President should get to the root of the allegation of forgery. The small committee that will be set up should look into it while the House of Representatives does its own.”
News
Tambuwal Engages Security Agencies As US Airstrikes Hit Own LG In Sokoto
Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, representing Sokoto South, has called on residents of Sokoto State to remain calm following reports of United States airstrikes targeting ISIS-linked terrorists on Christmas Day.
In a statement posted on his personal X account, the former Sokoto State governor said he was aware of reports concerning the airstrikes, which marked a direct US military action in Nigeria based on intelligence about ISWAP threats, and urged citizens to remain law-abiding while authorities clarify the situation.
“I have noted the reports concerning an airstrike carried out as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts through cooperation between the federal government of Nigeria and the United States,” Tambuwal said. “I urge our communities to remain calm and law abiding as relevant authorities clarify the circumstances surrounding the operation.”
READ ALSO:US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria
Tambuwal assured constituents that he was engaging with relevant security agencies to obtain full details of the operation and to ensure that necessary things were in place to protect civilians.
“I wish to assure the people of Sokoto South that I am in active talks with relevant security authorities to obtain full details and ensure that all necessary safeguards are upheld,” he added.
The senator emphasised that counterterrorism operations were aimed strictly at criminal and terrorist elements threatening public safety, not innocent civilians who are often victims of insecurity. He stressed that the protection of civilian lives must remain central to all legitimate security actions.
He further called on community leaders, traditional institutions and residents to work closely with security agencies by sharing credible intelligence and resisting misinformation capable of causing fear or heightening tension.
News
Rep Moore Confirms 12 Tomahawk Missiles Launched In Sokoto
No fewer than 12 Tomahawk missiles were on December 25 launched against terrorists in Sokoto State by the United States military.
Rep Riley M. Moore, the lawmaker representing Virginia’s Second District in the Congress, confirmed this in an interview with Fox News.
The US military operated in Sokoto State on Christmas night, bombing terrorists killing innocent people in parts of Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt
Some security analysts claimed on Friday that the operation was unsuccessful and had no significant impacts on the targeted terrorists.
According to them, the airstrikes landed in safe places including farms where there was no history of terrorists’ hideout.
But details began to emerge on Friday night, indicating that several terrorists were killed during the joint operations between the US army and it’s Nigerian counterpart.
READ ALSO:Nigerian Ringleader Of Nationwide Bank Fraud, Money Laundering Jailed In US, Says FBI
Moore said: “This year, thanks to President Trump, Radical Islamic Terrorists were on the receiving end of 12 Tomahawk missiles as a present.
“The successful strikes on ISIS, in coordination with the Nigerian government, is just the first step to secure the country and end the slaughter of our brothers and sisters in Christ”.
DAILY POST reports that residents of Sokoto State have been panicking since the US military operation.
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