As the December 31 deadline expires today, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) may enforce payment of the N780 billion fine imposed on MTN Nigeria, a source close to the commission has said.
NCC is prepared to enforce payment of its N780 billion fine against the South African telecoms giant MTN, a spokesman for NCC told an online medium Wednesday.
But MTN has filed a suit in Federal High Court, Lagos, seeking to quash the fine. MTN’s view is that the court case has delayed payment of the fine until there is a ruling.
But that is not the view of NCC. “If MTN doesn’t pay the fine by tomorrow (today), NCC will enforce the fine in line with relevant provisions of the NCC Act. The fact that they have gone to court doesn’t affect the fact that they have a fine hanging on their neck. These are two separate issues,” the source said.
The spokesman would not say what action NCC would take, but insisted that the commission could employ its full powers accorded by law.
“You are aware that in sequel to the suit filed by MTN, NCC has put together a team of prominent lawyers to defend the interest of the government and Nigerians. And of course the lawyers have filed an objection to the MTN suit on diverse grounds,” the spokesman said.
He added that NCC has every right to enforce the fine in line with the relevant provisions of the law that established it.
He rejected the argument that MTN’s court case gave it the right to delay payment of the fine.
“MTN is just trying to buy time. There is no merit in their argument. They have gone to court, but they are still arguing the case in the court of public opinion. You can be sure that NCC will do the needful,” the spokesman said.
-Leadership