SAN FRANCISCO, November 15, (THEWILL) – As the November 16 deadline arrives for MTN Nigeria to pay the N1.4 trillion ($5.2bn) fine imposed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over its failure to disconnect 5.2 million unregistered subscribers from its network, the parent company, MTN Group of South Africa Sunday debunked reports that it had reached an agreement with the Nigerian authorities to allow it to stagger the payment.
“We caution against information from any sources outside the company,” MTN’s spokesman Chris Maroleng told Reuters on Sunday.
The news agency quoting a source at the NCC had earlier reported that MTN had asked to stagger the payment.
THEWILL recalls that MTN Group’s shares at the Johannesburg bourse fell about 20% after the fine was made public some days back. Its erstwhile executive chairman, Sifiso Dabengwa also resigned from his position following the fine.
New Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko and other top executives of the telecommunications company flew to Nigeria to hold talks with authorities with regards to reducing the fine or cancelling it altogether. The company had earlier apologized.
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