South African telecoms firm MTN Group has withdrawn its legal action against Nigeria's regulator over a $3.9-billion fine and paid $250-million towards a possible settlement, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
Africa's leading telecoms firm was fined by the Nigerian Communications Commission in October for failing to disconnect unregistered SIM users, prompting weeks of lobbying to reduce the fine.
Print Send to Friend 0 0 The original amount was based on fining the company $1 000 for every unregistered SIM card in use.
"MTN Nigeria has today made an agreed without prejudice good faith payment of 50-billion naira ($251.3-million) to the Federal Government of Nigeria on the basis that this will be applied towards a settlement, where one is eventually, hopefully arrived at, the company said.
MTN, which makes 37% of its sales in Nigeria, said it would withdraw its court challenge in an effort to reach an amicable settlement. Shares in the company rose about 2% ay 1158 GMT to 130.37 rand.
Source: Engineering News
