FG to slam another fine on MTN if they fail to meet December 31 deadline

The Federal Government has warned telecommunication company, MTN that it would not be intimidated by its court action over the N1.04trn fine imposed on the company which

was later reduced to N780bn, stressing that it stands the risk of another fine if it fails to meet up the December 31 deadline.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, on Monday while reacting to the suit filed by MTN at a Lagos High Court over the weekend.

Speaking through his Special Assistant on Media, Victor Oluwadamilare, the Minister however admitted that MTN had the right to seek the court’s interpretation if it feels unsatisfied with the action of the regulator but made it clear that the government would not hesitate to impose additional fine on the operator if it fails to pay at the expiration of the deadline.

Shittu said, “it is the right of MTN to approach the court but there was an infraction, which MTN admitted to have committed before it pleaded for leniency that led to the reduction of the fine from N1.4 trillion to N780 billion and the subsequent December 31, 2015 deadline to pay.

“If it has decided to go to court, it is still within the ambit of the law. I will not intervene, since they have gone to court, we will allow the court to decide if it is right for MTN to commit those infractions and breach the laws of the land.”

“it is unwise for MTN to go to court after the Federal Government had magnanimously reduced the fine. It will surely be fined for violating the rule at the expiration of the deadline, should it fail to pay the initial fine.”

Meanwhile, the telecommunications company has explained that its action was induced by commitment and belief in the long term sustainability of its business.