MTN has withdrawn its suit against Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and paid N50 billion towards an amicable resolution of the fine imposed on the it.
NCC had fined MTN N1.04 trillion for failing to deactivate 5.1 million unregistered SIM cards and later reduced the fine by 25 per cent to N780 billion after the first round of negotiations.
However, MTN filed a suit as the December 31, 2015 deadline drew near, and later requested an out-of-court settlement.
On Wednesday, the mobile phone company finally withdrew the case from the Federal High Court in Lagos in response to a request by the Nigerian authorities as a prerequisite for renewed negotiations.
Ferdi Moolman, the CEO of MTN Nigeria said on the withdrawal: “This is a most encouraging development. It demonstrates a willingness and sincerity by both parties to work together towards a positive outcome.”
MTN paid N50bn to the Federal Government “as a gesture of good faith and commitment to continued efforts towards an amicable resolution”, according to the telecoms company.
-TheCable