The call for an increment in the fine slammed on MTN by the Nigerian government through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has gained momentum with a call for the doubling of the initial $5.2 billion fine. This latest call was made by Abdulrazak Namdas of House of Representatives.
The lawmaker said MT must pay NGN400,000 ($2,015) for each of the 5.2 million unregistered phone lines it failed to deactivate before a deadline, instead of NGN200,000.
Speaking to Bloomberg, the legislator said the House of Representatives will “investigate” why Johannesburg-based MTN has been dealing with Nigeria’s attorney general instead of the Nigerian Communications Commission in trying to get the fine reduced.
But MTN’s spokesman Chris Maroleng said the company wouldn’t comment on the Nigerian lawmakers’ call.“We note ongoing media report coming from Nigeria,” Maroleng said.
“But we cannot be drawn into commenting on the matter as we are awaiting clarity and an official position from the Nigerian government on the matter.”
He added MTN would guide the market accordingly “when there is more clarity on the matter”.
