MTN Never Paid Any Money - Nigerian Govt. Denies MTN's N50bn Payment Claim (Statement)
Only
when we thought that MTN has withdrawn its suit against the Nigerian
Communications Commission (NCC) and paid N50 billion towards an amicable
resolution of the fine imposed on them, NCC has debunked the telecom
giant's claim.
Contrary to reports that
MTN announced on Wednesday that it was dropping its lawsuit against the
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and was making in 'good faith'
a payment of N50 billion to enable the two sides reach an amicable
solution on the matter, the commission on Thursday, distanced itself
from claims by the telecoms giant.
In our report yesterday, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Ferdi Moolman, was quoted as saying,
"This is a most encouraging development. It demonstrates a willingness
and sincerity by both parties to work together towards a positive
outcome.
"MTN paid N50 billion to the federal government as a gesture of
good faith and commitment to continued efforts towards an amicable
resolution," according to the telecoms company."
Debunking the viral report, Tony Ojobo, NCC's director of
communication, told Premium Times exclusively on Thursday that the
commission was neither aware of MTN’s decision to withdraw its court
case, nor pay $250 million (about N50 billion) to the Nigerian
government.
"We (NCC) are not privy to it (agreement to withdraw a case
from court and pay $250 million by MTN). We do not have anything to do
with it. We do not have any evidence of payment of any money to the
Nigerian government. There is no invoice to that effect. We have also
not gotten any official information or confirmation that they have
withdrawn their case in court.
That information is not from us (NCC). It is MTN that released
it from South Africa. We have not gotten into any discussion on the
modalities of payment of the fine. Whatever MTN is doing does not affect
the fact that a regulatory fine was imposed and payment is expected," he said.
He however assured that the NCC management would meet later
Thursday to review the report and take a decision that would be
communicated to the public through an official statement.
"We have not even met to take a decision like that. There was
no discussion whatsoever with NCC on the matter. MTN has not even met
with the committee that was set to discuss these issues.
"On what basis was the agreement made? We do not know the basis
on which they arrived at the $250 million they claim to have paid. For
now, no official position on this. We are just hearing it in the news
like every other person," Mr Ojobo explained.
The NCC had in October 2015 sanctioned MTN for failing to
disconnect 5.1 million improperly registered lines within the prescribed
deadline in compliance with its regulatory directive to telecom
operators in the country.
The penalty was based on N200,000 fine imposed for every
unregistered SIM card in use on any telecom operator’s network. Although
the fine was subsequently reduced by 25 per cent to N780 billion, MTN
Nigeria failed to pay the penalty.
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