NCC wades into MTN sanctions by CBN, AGF

The Nigerian Communications Commission [NCC] is mediating in the crisis between the MTN Nigeria and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and between the company and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

The NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman Prof Umar Garuba Danbatta disclosed this yesterday during the Nigeria Investment Spotlight at the ongoing International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom World 2018 in Durban, South Africa.

Prof Danbatta said, ‘’I am assuring you that we will soon have the matters settled amicably. We are talking and engaging with relevant authorities to have the matters settled.”

Responding to the issue raised by prospective telecom investors, he said NCC wasn’t having any problem with the South African telecom operator, but that the company is having issue with the financial sector regulator and the AGF, which are being settled.

The CEO/President of MTN Group, Mr Rob Shuter at the event reiterated the company’s confidence in Nigeria.

‘’We are so proud of Nigeria and we still have high confidence in the country,’ he said.

Secretary General of ITU, Mr Houlin Zhao who also spoke at the event said Nigeria still remained toast of the telecom investors around the world. He called for more friendly policies to attract more investors.

MTN Nigeria was recently ordered by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to pay $2 billion (N700 bn) tax. It came six days after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ordered the telecom operator to repatriate back to the country $8.13 billion it allegedly took away to South Africa.

The company on Monday approached a Federal High Court asking it to restrain the apex bank and the AGF from taking further action.