The 36 states governors in Nigeria have insisted that MTN must paid the $5.2 billion fine imposed on it by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) even though it has apologised and pleaded for leniency.
MTN Nigeria was fined over failure to disconnect 5.1 unregistered SIM cards after expiration.
Governor of Zamfara State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulaziz Yari told journalists at the end of their meeting on Thursday in Abuja that the governors supported the NCC action after its Acting Executive Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Professor Umar Dambata, briefed them on the matter.
He said while the forum congratulated Dambata for his appointment and pledged its commitment to engage with the NCC, it also commended the regulatory agency for “its strict compliance and enforcement of the law with regards to the fine issued to MTN and advised the Federal Government to ensure prompt and full payment.
“Hence the MTN has accepted that they committed the offense and has apologized, and they are looking for leniency, we the governors’ forum decided to support the NCC to abide by the laws of the land and the laws of our land do not give leniency to deliberate offense to our nation.”
