MTN Nigeria has stated it did not drag the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to the Federal High Court in Lagos over the N1.04 trillion fine the regulatory body imposed on it.
A director at the firm, who does not want his name in print because of the sensitive nature of the matter, told Leadership that the telecom giant is in the process of negotiating with the Commission.
He said: “I can tell you authoritatively that we in the MTN did not file any legal action against the NCC over the fine. This is because, as a stakeholder in the telecom industry, we try to ensure there is harmony between the telecom firms and the regulatory body. As one of the major players in the telecom industry, our main objective is to operate in line with the laws of the land, and in view of this ongoing fine we’re doing everything possible to negotiate and resolve the lingering matter.
“I wish to reiterate that we did not ask any lawyer or any individual to file any legal action on our behalf because we believe sincerely that the matter will be resolved amicably at the end of the day.”
Recall that a Lagos-based lawyer, Oluyinka Oyeniji, applied for an exparte order at the FHC, Lagos, seeking to restrain NCC from enforcing the N1.04 trillion sanctions it imposed on MTN Nigeria.
But Justice Mohammed Idris refused the exparte application and directed the lawyer to put the regulatory body on notice by serving them all the processes filed in the suit, so that it can respond to them.
Oyeniji had told the court he instituted the suit on behalf of himself and millions of other MTN subscribers because of the NCC’s plan to deactivate millions of MTN subscribers’ lines in the event that that the telecommunication company failed to pay the N1.04 trillion fine slammed on it for unethical practice by the November 16 deadline.
He had further prayed for an order of interim injunction restraining MTN from making any payments regarding the N1.04 trillion penalty imposed upon it by the NCC pending the determination of the motion on notice.
He also sought an order mandating NCC to tender documentary evidence of accounts to justify the fines imposed on MTN as well as other telecommunication operators, including the appropriation and disbursement thereof, from 2002 till date, in accordance with Order 44 Rule 4 of the Civil Procedure Rules, 2009.
The court adjourned the matter till November 19 for the hearing of the motion on notice.