Telecom giant could lose license following NBC probe

According to various media reports, the Federal Government may review the sale of a 700MHz spectrum license to South Africa-based telecom giant, MTN Nigeria, following the ongoing probe into the activities of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

Emeka Mba, DG of the NBC, was reportedly arrested on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly operating a secret account into which about N17 billion out of a N34 billion payment by MTN for the 700MHz spectrum license was kept, according to a Daily Trust report.

Some reports reveal that Mba was picked up by the anti-graft commission after a petition was written by some aggrieved broadcast and telecom industry players to the Commission alleging that Mba contravened due process in the spectrum sale to MTN.

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It would seem the Frequency Management Council (FMC) is already reviewing the spectrum sale and the ongoing probe of the NBC could provide enough reason for cancellation of the sale, Daily Post quotes a top government official source as saying.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has also voiced out its discontent with the sale.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reports that the MTN spokesperson could not be reached yesterday but a top official stated that the company had nothing to fear as it had did not breach any Nigerian Law in getting the license.

Malam Awwalu Salihu, spokesperson for the NBC, declined to comment on the issue, according to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek.