TN Nigeria is preparing to withdraw its legal action against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, following the AGF’s decision to retract a demand for N242 billion and $1.2 billion from the telecom giant.
The announcement came via a statement from MTN Nigeria’s Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah.
The company plans to drop its lawsuit while engaging with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), as directed by the AGF after consulting relevant agencies.
Shift in Jurisdiction
MTN had previously challenged the AGF’s authority to impose the demand, filing a lawsuit to contest the claim.
Now, the alleged indebtedness will be addressed by FIRS and Customs, who will work to resolve the “contentious issues.”
MTN emphasized its commitment to complying with Nigerian laws, stating,
“MTN Nigeria will follow due court process to withdraw its legal action against the AGF and engage with the FIRS and NC on the issues.”
CEO’s Positive Response
Ferdi Moolman, MTN Nigeria’s CEO, welcomed the AGF’s decision, saying, “We are very pleased with the decision of the AGF and commend him for his wisdom.”
He reaffirmed the company’s dedication to fostering good relations with regulatory bodies and fulfilling its fiscal duties, while contributing to Nigeria’s social and economic growth.
