Telecoms giant MTN Nigeria yesterday announced it has made an agreed without prejudice good faith payment of 50 Billion Naira (USD250 million) to the Federal Government of Nigeria on the basis that it will be applied towards a settlement, where one is eventually, hopefully arrived at.
It added that in an effort to achieve an amicable settlement, it has agreed to withdraw the matter from the Federal High Court in Lagos.
“Phuthuma Nhleko in his capacity as Executive Chairman of MTN Group and a director of MTN Nigeria is continuing to lead the team engaging the Nigerian Authorities with a view to settling the matter,” MTN stated.
“This is a most encouraging development. It demonstrates a willingness and sincerity by both parties to work together towards a positive outcome,” MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Ferdi Moolman said.
But the director of communication, NCC, Tony Ojobo, told PREMIUM TIMES today 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 We have also not gotten any official information or confirmation that they have withdrawn their case in court,” Mr. Ojobo said.
“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.
Mr. Ojobo 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.
