MTN, one of the major telecommunications companies in Nigeria, has paid N165 billion, being part of the N330 billion fine imposed on it following its failure to disconnect SIM cards not properly registered.
The fine was imposed by the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, in 2015.
It would be recalled that N1.04 trillion fine was imposed initially by the NCC, but after several appeals and diplomatic moves by the government of South Africa, it was reduced to N330 billion.
The money, it was agreed, would be paid in instalments.
Speaking on the compliance of MTN with the agreement to pay the fine in instalments, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said the telecommunication company had paid N165 billion so far.
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Danbatta spoke on Monday in Abuja when MTN Group, led by its Chairman in Nigeria, Dr Pascal Dozie visited the NCC.
His words: “I am happy to inform you that our agreement with MTN on how and when to pay the fine has been adhered to.
“Just last month, March, we received a cheque of N55 billion from MTN as part of the fine payment plan.
“This brought the total fine paid by MTN Nigeria to N165 billion, that is about half of the fine.
“It is a whopping sum of money and they have not defaulted and these payments they are making is consistent with the terms of agreement we reached with them.‘’
Danbatta said the fine was to ensure discipline to make sure that the rules of engagement were respected.
