Controversy as communications minister confirms N50 billion payment by telecom giant, NCC denies knowledge of payment

According to media reports, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, confirmed yesterday that MTN Nigeria has indeed paid the sum of N50 billion out of the N780 billion fine imposed on it by the commission.

Guardian Online reports that this information was contained in a statement by the Minister's special assistant on media, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare.

South Africa-based MTN Nigeria had announced on Wednesday that it had paid the sum of N50 billion into the coffers of the NCC as a show of 'good faith', with the hopes that it would lead to further discussions on the fine matter and eventually a settlement agreement.

The telecom giant also revealed that it had withdrawn its legal suit filed against the NCC from the Federal High Court, Lagos over the fine.

The NCC, however, denied that any knowledge of the payment or the withdrawal of the case against it from the court. NCC executive, Tony Ojobo, had expressly denied any knowledge of the payment, stating that the regulator had no information on the matter, while adding that it expected MTN to still pay the full sum of the fine.

This puts a whole new dynamic on the fine issue, especially as Minister for Communication Technology, Mr. Adebayo Shittu confirmed that MTN has indeed made the payment, while the NCC denies any knowledge of said payment.

MTN was fined an original $5.1 billion (later reduced to $3.9 billion) by the NCC back in October last year for failing to deactivate unregistered SIM cards.