N1.04trn fine probe: Reps walk out MTN rep, summon MD
Wed Mar 16, 2016 11:27:am National
2.5K By sosa hills
A mild drama occurred at the House of Representatives venue of the public hearing on the MTN N1.04 trillion fine yesterday, as the lawmakers politely asked the representative of the service provider to leave the venue of the public hearing.
Members of the House of Representatives committee on Communications gave this directive on Tuesday.
A member of the committee, Ossai Nicholas Ossai, (PDP, Delta), who had raised an objection that those invited had failed to show up as those present cannot represent them, quoted extensively from Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution that empowered the committee to invite anybody no matter how highly placed in the country.
However, the Chairman of the committee, Rep Akinade Fijabi, (APC, Oyo), explained to Ossai that the management of MTN had written earlier to say the committee should refer its findings to Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The Committee's clerk had read the letter which further angered the committee members, who at this point asked MTN's representative to leave the hearing.
Attempts by MTN's Manager on Government Affairs, Mr Austin Iyasere to identify himself as the representative of the carrier was ignored.
At this point, the committee members resolved that the Managing Director of MTN, Mr Ferdiinand Moolman should appear before it and adjourned hearing.
The letter, which spurred the action, entitled, "Re: Amicable Settlement Negotiations With The FG," read: "We note your reference to the above subject matter mentioned above.
"In this regard, we wish to refer you to the appropriate government agencies, specifically the Nigerian Communications Commission, Offices of the Honourable Ministers of Communication and Justice as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria which agencies are in a position to furnish your committee with relevant information on this issue.
"As you know, MTN is pursuing amicable settlement negotiations with the Federal Government. We believe you will understand that processes of this kind require sensitivity and confidentiality on all sides.
"Accordingly, we are unable to make any further comments about the process at this stage. We trust that we can call upon your sound judgment at all times and that this process be allowed to continue in order for the parties to be given the opportunity to reach a settlement as envisaged by the court when it adjourned the matter for that purpose on January 22, 2016.
The Chairperson of the committee in a chat with journalists, after the committee adjourned, said: "We have invited the MD, if he fails to show up, we will approach the Inspector General of Police and, through him, order for his arrest."
Members of the House of Representatives committee on Communications gave this directive on Tuesday.
A member of the committee, Ossai Nicholas Ossai, (PDP, Delta), who had raised an objection that those invited had failed to show up as those present cannot represent them, quoted extensively from Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution that empowered the committee to invite anybody no matter how highly placed in the country.
However, the Chairman of the committee, Rep Akinade Fijabi, (APC, Oyo), explained to Ossai that the management of MTN had written earlier to say the committee should refer its findings to Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The Committee's clerk had read the letter which further angered the committee members, who at this point asked MTN's representative to leave the hearing.
Attempts by MTN's Manager on Government Affairs, Mr Austin Iyasere to identify himself as the representative of the carrier was ignored.
At this point, the committee members resolved that the Managing Director of MTN, Mr Ferdiinand Moolman should appear before it and adjourned hearing.
The letter, which spurred the action, entitled, "Re: Amicable Settlement Negotiations With The FG," read: "We note your reference to the above subject matter mentioned above.
"In this regard, we wish to refer you to the appropriate government agencies, specifically the Nigerian Communications Commission, Offices of the Honourable Ministers of Communication and Justice as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria which agencies are in a position to furnish your committee with relevant information on this issue.
"As you know, MTN is pursuing amicable settlement negotiations with the Federal Government. We believe you will understand that processes of this kind require sensitivity and confidentiality on all sides.
"Accordingly, we are unable to make any further comments about the process at this stage. We trust that we can call upon your sound judgment at all times and that this process be allowed to continue in order for the parties to be given the opportunity to reach a settlement as envisaged by the court when it adjourned the matter for that purpose on January 22, 2016.
The Chairperson of the committee in a chat with journalists, after the committee adjourned, said: "We have invited the MD, if he fails to show up, we will approach the Inspector General of Police and, through him, order for his arrest."
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