MTN seeks ‘staggered’ payment of N1.04trn fine’

MTN Nigeria wants the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to spread the payment of the huge fine imposed on it, according to Reuters.

Quoting a source, the news agency said the biggest mobile phone operator in Africa made the request on Friday at a meeting with high-level government officials.

“At the meeting, MTN pleaded passionately for staggered payment since the option of reduction of the fine had been ruled out,” the NCC source said.

However, a source familiar with the discussions said reduction of the fine was still possible, Reuters said in its report.

“Until the final announcement is made, there may be some room for manoeuvre,” the source familiar said.

According to the agency, the decision of the government would be disclosed on Monday, which is the end of the ultimatum of paying the fine.

“We are waiting for authorities to come back to us,” Chris Maroleng, MTN spokesman, said.

Adebayo Shittu, the new minister of communications, has said “the law would be followed” if MTN fails to pay the fine”.

Shittu said there was no plan to chase the telecoms giant out of the country.

“Nobody wants MTN to die. Nobody wants MTN to shut down… We don’t want them to leave,” Shittu had said.