The Federal government asked telecommunication service provider, MTN Nigeria to pay N50b for its violation of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card registration laws, the Minister of Communications said on Wednesday.
MTN was fined N1.04 trillion by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for failing to register its subscribers in accordance with laid down rules and regulations.
The downward review of the fine by 25 percent as well as payment of N50b by the telecommunication company later led to investigation of the issue by the House of Representatives.
Adebayo Shittu told the House of Representatives that his ministry asked the telecommunication firm to pay N50b in respect of the fine.
Shittu, however, said the money was not part of the fine.
The minister stated these while making his presentation on the diversification of the Nigerian Economy on the Floor of the House on Wednesday.
“MTN took the matter to court but later offered to settle it out of court. That was why the company was asked to pay N50b as a sign of commitment to the new deal,” he said.
He added that negotiation for review of the fine has been stalled due to ongoing investigation of the matter by the House.
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