NCC Descends on Dealers of Counterfeit Smartphones in Kano

By Ibrahim Dan-Halilu

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has arrested some dealers of counterfeited

and non-approved type devices in the city of Kano after several raids by its enforcement team.

The enforcement team arrested Yahaya Ado of Gezawa Communications Limited for selling

counterfeit Gionee devices and not being able to show any evidence of authorization granted to

the company by the Commission.

Nura Ahmed of Saleh Latest Venture and Rufai Nuhu of Al Mansoor Communications were also

arrested because they were not licenced to engage in the sales and installation of terminal

equipment and were unable to show any evidence of authorization from the Commission in that

connection.

The NCC’s Head of Enforcement, Mallam Salisu Abdu, who led the team, expressed concerns

at how the GSM Market on Beirut Street, Kano, was awash with counterfeit and non-type

approved phones.

Abdu bemoaned the fact that many of the vendors were not licensed by the Commission to

provide such communication service they rendered.

The non-type-approved phones found during the enforcement include Gionee branded phones

with model numbers G800, and L990; H-Mobile phones with model numbers it5606+, H351;

FoxKong with model numbers F30, F300; and KGTEL phones with model numbers K2160 and

KG1100.

In the same light, the (NCC) has cautioned consumers against the patronage and use of

counterfeit and non-type approved devices.

The commission strongly warns that such devices negatively affects the quality of experience

while leaving their users vulnerable to losses and other discomforts.

The warning follows the Commission’s enforcement activities in Kano where it arrested the

representatives of three companies responsible for the sale of counterfeit as well as

non-type-approved devices,

The suspects has since been handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps

(NSCDC) for investigation and further necessary action.

The Commission is determined to carry out post-enforcement checks to ensure that the sale of

counterfeit devices is stopped.

Earlier warnings from the NCC

The NCC has already expressed concern over the rising use of subpar mobile phones and other

telecom devices in the nation.

In 2019, the Commission bemoaned the circulation of counterfeited phones in the market and

warned users to be wary and careful of the phones to purchase from vendors. According to it,

the warning became necessary to guide unsuspecting users against the inherent dangers in

using such outlawed devices infiltrating the market.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, gave the warning

during a sensitization workshop in Bwari Area Council, FCT Abuja, tagged: “Stakeholders

Sensitization Workshop on the Hazardous Effect of Non-type Approved Handsets and Impact on

Quality of Service and e-waste”.

He said the sensitization programme was part of the Commission’s deliberate move to educate

and create awareness on the hazardous health effects and negative economic implications of

the patronage of fake handsets and other Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

devices in the country.

The NCC will collaborate with market associations to ensure that appropriate licenses are

obtained by vendors and assist in apprehending the major dealers and suppliers of counterfeit

devices.