MTN DARES FG $3.9BN FINE

South African telecoms giant, MTN has said that the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) lacks the powers to fine the company. The controversial $3.9 billion fine was slapped against the telecoms company over failure to disconnect unregistered users. The company which was given the December 31 deadline to pay the fine says it will sue the Federal Government to court as it has received legal advise from its lawyers, TheWhistle reports.
MTN Nigeria acting on legal advice has resolved that the manner of the imposition of the fine… is not in accordance with the NCC’s powers,” a company issued by the company reads. “There are valid grounds upon which to challenge the fine”. The company revealed that its lawyers would take the case to the High Court in Lagos. Nigerian authorities ordered unregistered SIM cards to be deactivated for security reasons, as the country battles Boko Haram Islamists as well as criminality including kidnappers who make use of unregistered sims to ask for ransom from families of victims. The Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) in October fined MTN Nigeria with $3.9 billion after it missed the deadline to disconnect 5.1 million SIM cards.