MTN Finally Want to Settle N1.04tn Fine Out of Court

Telecommunications Company, MTN Nigeria, has said it is considering settling out of court with the Nigerian Communications Commission over the N1.04tn fine imposed on it.

At the resumed hearing of the suit it filed to challenge the N1.04tn fine, MTN’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), pleaded with the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, to give parties 60 days to explore the option of settlement out of court.

But responding, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who was sued as the 2nd defendant, told the court, through his lawyer, Mr. Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), that parties had been finding it difficult to settle out of court.

He urged the court to take it that all the court papers in the matter had been properly filed and served and that the case was still ongoing.

“This is a matter of national importance. There have been concessions in the past and nothing happened,” Okpeseyi noted.

In his own reaction, counsel for the NCC, Mr. Yusuf Alli (SAN), argued that the maximum period allowed by the court rules was 21 days for parties to file and serve written addresses.

After entertaining arguments from all parties, Justice Idris adjourned till March 18 for report of settlement or for hearing in the case.

The judge also held that all processes filed shall be deemed as properly filed and served.

He held that all the preliminary objections and substantive application shall be taken together on the adjourned date if MTN has not paid the fine and the case has not be settled out of court.