MTN Fine Reduction: Senate Moves To Tackle Justice Minister, CBN, NCC
The last might not have been heard on the N1.04 trillion fine reduction by the federal government as the Senate has summoned Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele.
The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) had imposed a fine of N1.04trn on MTN for failing to disconnect millions of unregistered phone lines but months later reduced the fine to N330 billion with a staggered payment till 2019.
On Thursday, the Senate decried the unilateral decision by the executive and vowed to investigate the process by summoning the officials. This is squeal to an investigation by the House of Representatives.
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Senator Gilbert Nnaji, representing Enugu east, in a motion urged the Upper Chamber to summon the key officials involved in the matter.
The CBN governor was joined in the summons because the money paid by MTN was allegedly remitted to an account of the apex bank where proceeds of corruption are deposited in.
Also, the minister of justice was summoned because of him being a key figure in the negotiation process.
The Committees on Communication, and Justice were directed by Senate President Bukola Saraki to submit their report after two weeks.
