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Senate Summons AGF, Others Over MTN Fine

The Senate has summoned the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Danbatta, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris and Chief … Continue reading Senate Summons AGF, Others Over MTN Fine


Senate

Senate on MTNThe Senate has summoned the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Danbatta, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris and Chief Executive Officer of MTN over claims that the MTN Nigeria had paid 50 billion Naira to the Federal Government.

The summon issued by the Senate Committee on Communications requires them to appear before the committee on March 10.

Also summoned is the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and the Minister of Communications Technology, Adebayo Shittu, on issues relating to the matter.

According to a letter of invitation dated March 3, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, said it discovered during one of its recent oversight functions that NCC could not provide any proof of the payment by MTN.

The committee said the MTN had been misguided to lodge the said 50 billion Naira into the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recovery account, specially designated for recovered funds.

Senator Nnaji’s committee said foul play was suspected over the manner of payment and the haste in which MTN withdrew its suit against NCC from the court.

The NCC had on February 29 affirmed the Federal Government’s receipt of 50 billion Naira towards settlement of the fine imposed on MTN Nigeria Communications Limited by the Commission.

The commission also affirmed the withdrawal of the suit involving the MTN, NCC and HAGF.

In a statement, the NCC’s Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, said that the official information to the Commission to that effect, was received from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.