The
Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has acknowledged the receipt of the sum
of N50,000,000,000 (Fifty Billion Naira Only), towards the settlement of the
fine imposed on MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd by the Commission, reports
ITRealms.
The Director, Public
Affairs at NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo informed
ITRealms that this was also in line with MTN law suit
No FHC/1923/2015 – MTN Vs. NCC & HAGF which has since been withdrawn and
was received as ‘good faith’ deposit.
He
also told ITRealms that the official information to the Commission to that
effect, was received from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation
and Minister of Justice, today, 29th February, 2016.
“The
amount is an unconditional good faith payment, on the basis that this sum would
be applied towards eventual settlement agreement for payment of the fine
imposed by the Commission, where the ongoing negotiations between the Federal
Government and the company, reaches a final resolution,” he explained.
Ojobo
also said that the Federal Government’s team for the negotiations is being led
by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, and Minister of Justice,
Abubakar Malami (SAN), while MTN team is led by former U.S Attorney General,
and Head of Covington & Burling LLP, Washington DC, Mr Eric H. Holder, Jr.
The
receipt of the amount and withdrawal of the suit, he said, is without prejudice
to the final decision of government on the terms of payment being proposed by
the company.
On
the basis of out of court settlement, Ojobo emphasized that the Federal
Government team, is expected to deliberate on the merits and demerits of the
terms of payment of the fine imposed on MTN by the Commission for its failure
to deactivate invalid SIM Cards as directed by the Commission, thereby
contravening the provisions of the regulation on SIM Card Registration.
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