More Troubles for MTN as Cameroon Anti-Graft Agency Slams $160m Fine

Despite battling to pay a negotiated fine of $5.2 billion slammed on it by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) for failing to disconnect subscribers with unregistered and incomplete subscriber identification modules (SIM) cards within the stipulated time,, mobile telecommunications giant, MTN was yesterday fined another $160 by the Cameroonian government.MTN, according to Reuters report, was slammed the fine for failing to pay taxes on games and gambling services.
The fine which was equally extended to another telecommunications firm,Orange and other companies, was an outcome of a wide-reaching probe into the sector,leading to a total fine of $283 million, that included Camtel and Viettel which were also in violation of regulations.
In the report written by the anti corruption commission, known as CONAC, MTN and Orange were also accused of not paying taxes on their money transfer system, known as Mobile Money.
Recall that NCC,had in October 2015, issued a landmark fine of N1.04 trillion ($5.2bn) against MTN Nigeria, the largest mobile network operator in the country.
But MTN had on December 16,2015, launched a court challenge against the fine that NCC ordered it to pay by December 31 for failing to disconnect unregistered users.
MTN said that “All factors having a bearing on the matter have been thoroughly and carefully considered, including a review of the circumstances leading to the fine and subsequent letters received from the NCC.”
“MTN Nigeria, acting on legal advice, has resolved that the manner of the imposition of the fine and the quantum thereof were not in accordance with the NCC’s powers under the Nigerian Communications Act and therefore that it has valid grounds upon which to challenge the fine.”