Nigerians have been asked to report cases of extortion of National Identification Number (NIN) applicants for diligent prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others.
Announcing this in Twitter on Thursday, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) warned that those extorting NIN applicants risk a seven-year jail term.
It cited 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, stating that the offence is punishable in accordance with the laws.
The body reaffirmed that the ongoing enrolment for the NIN is free across the country.
The tweet reads “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.
“Report extortion via actu@nimc.gov.ng or call 08157691214 or 08157691071.”
