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LequteMan
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The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has confirmed that the federal government has received N50 billion from MTN Nigeria towards the settlement of the N780 billion fine imposed on the telecoms firm.
However Communications Minister Adebayo Shittu, said he was told that negotiations took place between MTN and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, but that he was never involved.
“I have not negotiated with anybody,” Mr. Shittu said. “Remember I was not yet a minister when the matter started. At no time was any file ever brought to me on the matter even after my resumption.
“The MTN went to court to buy time, but then realized that they were not likely to win in court, and now they are anxious to negotiate. They only told me unofficially that they were withdrawing the case; that they had gone to the Attorney General of the Federation who, they said, asked them to make some down payment for any negotiation to begin.”
The minister, who insisted that his ministry played no role in any negotiation with MTN, said all the information about what transpired were reported to him by top officials of MTN, whom he said he had no reason to disbelieve.
The NCC on Monday said the Federal Government received the money following a correspondence on the transaction from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Malami.
Premium Times
However Communications Minister Adebayo Shittu, said he was told that negotiations took place between MTN and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, but that he was never involved.
“I have not negotiated with anybody,” Mr. Shittu said. “Remember I was not yet a minister when the matter started. At no time was any file ever brought to me on the matter even after my resumption.
“The MTN went to court to buy time, but then realized that they were not likely to win in court, and now they are anxious to negotiate. They only told me unofficially that they were withdrawing the case; that they had gone to the Attorney General of the Federation who, they said, asked them to make some down payment for any negotiation to begin.”
The minister, who insisted that his ministry played no role in any negotiation with MTN, said all the information about what transpired were reported to him by top officials of MTN, whom he said he had no reason to disbelieve.
The NCC on Monday said the Federal Government received the money following a correspondence on the transaction from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Malami.
Premium Times
