VIDEO: Pantami Denies Saying Nigerians Without NIN Will Be Jailed For 14 Years

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has denied saying that Nigerians who do not obtain their National Identification Numbers (NIN) could risk a 14-year jail term.

Pantami cautioned that failure to obtain the NIN could result in seven or 14 years in prison, as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution, during the weekly ministerial briefing organized by the Presidential Media Team at Aso Rock, Abuja, on Thursday, according to News Direct.

“National identity is a law, and it is mandatory,” he said. It’s also illegal to perform such activities in this country without the figure.

“It is an offence for you to obtain a voter card in Nigeria based on section 27 of the NIMC Act (without NIN). It is illegal to open a bank account without a NIN. It is a crime for you to not pay your taxes. It is illegal for you to earn a pension. It is illegal to use any government service without getting a NIN.

“Section 29 states that if you do any of the things mentioned in Section 27 without first obtaining a national identification card, you have committed a crime punishable by a fine, incarceration, or both. It’s been 14 years.”

However, the minister said he was quoted out of context in a tweet on Thursday, adding that he never said someone without NIN would be imprisoned for 14 years.

Pantami clarified that what he meant was that NIMC has been around for 14 years, starting in 2007.

He wrote: “This has been quoted 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!”

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

— Isa Ali Pantami, PhD (@DrIsaPantami) April 1, 2021