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The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has initiated criminal proceedings against mobil telecommunication giant, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and two others over their alleged hoarding of information requested by Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Listed as co-defendant with MTN, in a charge, now pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja, are Karl Toriola, (MTN’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer), Tobechukwu Okigbo (Chief Corporate Services Officer, MTN) and Ikenna Ikeme (General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, MTN).
MTN and its three senior officials are accused, in the two-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/354/2024, of among others, withholding documents requested by the FCCPC, an act which constitutes an offence under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act.
The charge, filed in the name of the Fed Govt by the FCCPC, reads:
*That you. MTN Nigeria Communications PLC, Mr. Karl Olutokun Toriola (M), Mr. Tobechukwu Okigbo (M) and Mr. Ikenna ikeme (M) on or about the 18th day of June, 2024 at Plot 2784, Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama, Abuja, without sufficient cause, failed to produce documents and or information which you were required to produce, in compliance with a lawful summons and request to produce, dated May 17, 2024, which compliance with same was further extended by a letter dated June 5, 2024 and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33 (3) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
*That you, MTN Nigeria Communications PLC, Mr. Karl Olutokun Toriola (M). Mr. Tobechukwu Okigbo (M) and Mr. ikenna ikeme (M) on or about the 18 day of June. 2024 at Plot 2784, Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama, Abuja, in furtherance, and continuation of extant refusal to produce documents and supply information required by the commission (FCCPC) under statutory notice and demand did impede and obstruct the FCCPC’s ongoing limited initial inquiry and possible prospective investigation by refusing to produce and supply documents and or information in compliance with a lawful summons and request to produce, dated May 17, 2024, which compliance with same was further extended by a letter dated June 5, 2024 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 111 (1) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, and punishable under Section 111 (2) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
When the case was mentioned before Justice H.J. Yilwa on Monday, the defendant were absent in court.
This development promoted Justice Yilwa to ask FCCPC’s lawyer, Chizenum Nsitem, about the defendants’s whereabouts.
Responding, Nsitem told the court that, although the case was scheduled for the arraignment of the defendants, he was just briefed about the case.
He requested for time to study the case file and take the necessary steps.
Justice Yilwa consequently adjourned till May 28 for arraignment.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
