N1.4trn: MTN seeks out of court settlement with NCC

                              
Telecommunications company, MTN Nigeria has opted to pursue an out of court settlement with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) with respect to the N1.4trillion the latter imposed on the firm.At the resumption of hearing on the suit filed by MTN at the Federal High Court in Lagos, lead counsel for the telecoms giant, Wole Olanipekun, SAN moved that the firm would embrace an out of court settlement.

Olanipekun led a legal team comprising of 6 other senior advocates of Nigeria while the NCC was similarly represented in court by 5 senior advocates alongside Lawyers from their chambers.

The NCC had in 2015 imposed a N1.4trn fine on MTN for failing to deactivate 5 million unregistered SIM cards, an action which violated a regulation agreed to by all telecom operators and was also deemed a threat to security efforts in the country.

The NCC reviewed the fine downward to N780 billion following negotiations between the federal government and top management of the parent company of the firm, MTN Group of South Africa.

MTN Nigeria subsequently refused to pay the reduced fine and instead filed a suit at the High Court claiming NCC had no powers to impose the fine in the first instance.

Source:
The Cable