Consumers have been warned by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) not to purchase or use gadgets that are fake or that have not received type approval.
The NCC warned that using such devices puts users at risk of mishaps and other annoyances while also lowering the experience’s quality.
The warning followed the Commission’s enforcement activities in Kano, where it detained representatives of three companies accused of selling counterfeit and non-type-approved devices and turned them over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and necessary action. The Commission’s spokesperson, Reuben Muoka, issued the statement.
“The enforcement team arrested Yahaya Ado of Gezawa Communications Limited for selling counterfeit Gionee devices and not being able to show any evidence of authorisation granted to the company by the Commission. Messrs Nura Ahmed of Saleh Latest Venture and Rufai Nuhu of Al Mansoor Communications was 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 authorisation 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 Commission is determined to carry out post-enforcement checks to ensure that the sale of counterfeit devices is stopped. The NCC will collaborate with market associations to ensure that appropriate licences are obtained by vendors and assist in apprehending the major dealers and suppliers of counterfeit devices.
“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,” the statement said.