MTN Nigeria on Friday formally withdrew the court case it instituted against the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over a N780 billion fine imposed on the mobile company for refusing to deactivate over 5.1 million unregistered subscribers on its network.
The regulatory body fined the telecoms operator N1.04 trillion in October 2015, but later reduced it by 25 per cent.
MTN had announced its withdrawal of the court case on February 24, and made an initial payment of N50 Billion without prejudice. This payment was made on the basis that it would be applied towards a settlement when one is arrived at.
Speaking on Friday, CEO, MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman, said “We have kept our promise to withdraw and we have followed through by formally doing so. This is in line with the premium we place on good corporate citizenship.”
The formal withdrawal at the Federal High Court on Friday, with all parties in attendance, signals further progress in the negotiations between MTN Nigeria and the NCC.
Speaking further, Moolman stated: “This is another manifestation of good faith and intent by MTN Nigeria. We have confidence in the equally good intentions of the Nigerian authorities and the strength of our mutual commitment to an amicable resolution.
“The high priority that government is giving to the sustainability of the industry assures us of a truly integrated approach amongst all parties, to the growth of ICT as a critical enabler of socio- economic development in Nigeria.”
Minister of Communications Technology, Adebayo Shittu, had said on Thursday that the Nigerian government was not planning to send MTN out of the country.
According to him, it was of no benefit to the country to see MTN die.
“We do not want anybody to have the impression that Nigerian government wants to kill MTN, it is not in the best interest of Nigeria to kill MTN. MTN is a Nigerian company, most of their shareholders are Nigerians, it is registered as Nigerian company in the interest of Nigerians,” Shittu said.
