Telecommunication giant MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and three of its senior officials are facing prosecution for allegedly hoarding information.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) dragged them before the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja.
The officials are: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) Karl Toriola; MTN Chief Corporate Services Officer Tobechukwu Okigbo and MTN General Manager, Regulatory Affair Ikenna Ikeme.
In the two-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/354/2024, the company and the officials are accused among others, of withholding documents requested by the FCCPC.
The hoarding, the agency claim, constitutes an offence under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act.
The charge 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.”
The case came up for mention on Tuesday, and was eventually adjourned by Justice H.J. Yilwa till May 28 for arraignment of the defendants.
