By Ayomide Otitoju
The Federal Government has initiated legal proceedings against MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and three of its top executives for allegedly failing to provide requested documents to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The criminal charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, name MTN Nigeria’s Managing Director and CEO, Karl Toriola; Chief Corporate Services Officer, Tobechukwu Okigbo; and General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, Ikenna Ikeme as co-defendants.
Allegations Against MTN Nigeria
According to the charge sheet (FHC/ABJ/CR/354/2024), MTN Nigeria and its executives are accused of failing to comply with a lawful request to produce specific documents, a violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), 2018.
The FCCPC, acting on behalf of the Federal Government, alleged that MTN and its officials refused to comply with a summons dated May 17, 2024, which was further extended via a letter on June 5, 2024. The refusal, the prosecution argued, obstructed an ongoing inquiry and a potential full-scale investigation by the FCCPC.
At the scheduled court session on Monday before Justice H.J. Yilwa, the defendants were absent. FCCPC’s legal counsel, Chizenum Nsitem, informed the court that he had only recently been briefed on the matter and requested additional time to review the case file.
Justice Yilwa adjourned the case to May 28, 2025, for the arraignment of the defendants.
Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of N1.37 Billion Kaduna State Funds Found in Undocumented Account
Kaduna, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered the interim forfeiture of N1.37 billion allegedly misappropriated from Kaduna State funds and hidden in a Sterling Bank account without proper documentation.
The ruling, issued by Justice H. Buhari on February 28, follows an ex parte application filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on February 14.
According to the ICPC, the funds were originally allocated for a light rail project during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai but were diverted. The anti-graft agency traced the money to a private account after investigating suspicious transactions linked to Indo Kaduna MRTS JV Nig. Ltd, a joint venture between the Kaduna State Government and Indian investors established in 2016.
Further proceedings in the case have been scheduled for April 8, 2025.
