For those that have forgotten the incident between the Nigerian Government (Nigerian Communications Commission) and the South African telecommunications company (MTN), here is a flashback: Last year, the Nigerian Communications Commission slammed Mtn with a $5.2 billion fine, which was later reduced to $3.9 billion (N330 billion) after much negotiations.
The fine levied was for reasons that Mtn neglected and failed to comply with the Commission's regulation to deactivate 5.1 million unregistered SIM cards before the August 11th deadline. The penalty was calculated using a rate of N200,000 per unregistered SIM.
Following the above, MTN has paid a total of N80 billion (N50 billion in February and N30 billion in June) into the Commission's domiciliary account, opened by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). However, there is something mysterious is happening to the monies - the Commission utters that the monies are yet to be received by it, because the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation has not remitted the funds.
The Commission further explains that it sent a request to the AGF that the initial payments be transferred to their account, but the Office is mum and yet to reply. Also, Business Day reports to have reached out to the office of the AGF, but it seemed like the office is playing the silent game.
The Commission's Executive Vice Chairman, Umar Garba Danbatta , stated that “We have written a letter to the AGF and Minister of Justice to remit the N80 billion so far paid, out of N330 billion total fine, by MTN into the NCC’s account domiciled at the CBN for onward transmission to Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government.”
I presume you are as curious as I am as to why the delay in remitting this money! Hmmmm.... things beyond our information are happening in this country!
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