The Minister of Communications Technology, Adebayo Shittu and the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami have once again ignored the request of the Senate Committee on Communications led by Saheed Fijabi to appear before it to explain the monumental reduction of the fine imposed on telecoms giant, MTN.
The Senate committee is investigating why the fine was reduced from N1.04 trillion to N330 billion.
Only the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Garba Dambatta and his Director of Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo were present at the meeting – making it the 5th time such would occur.
Fijabi noted at the meeting that Malami had excused himself because he was representing the President at an event in Lagos but Shittu did not show up even though he was expected.
The chairman of the committee expressed his displeasure over the failure to effectively resolve the issue even as he wondered why the huge reduction in the fine was agreed upon.
He also noted that the condition attached to the reduction – that MTN starts trading in the Nigerian Stock Exchange “is a business benefit to MTN”.
“I don’t think NCC alone can face the questions. This is going to be the last meeting as the parties are not here.”
Fijabi however, said the committee would go ahead with the drafting of its report and submit to the House.
The meeting then dissolved into a closed-door meeting.
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