The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that Mr. Karl Toriola, the CEO of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, along with other top executives, has been evading court summons related to an ongoing case of regulatory non-compliance.
During the hearing before Justice Hauwa Yilwa, FCCPC’s counsel, Nsitem Chizenum, revealed that efforts to serve the defendants, including the use of court bailiffs, had been unsuccessful.
He added that the Nigeria Police Force is now involved and currently processing the commission’s request to compel their appearance in court.
MTN Nigeria, Toriola, Tobechukwu Okigbo (Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer), and Ikenna Ikeme (General Manager, Regulatory Affairs), are facing two counts in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/354/2024.
The charges, filed on July 22, 2024, allege that the executives failed to produce documents and information requested by the FCCPC as part of a lawful investigation process.
Despite an earlier extension granted to respond to the request, the commission claims the accused failed to comply, violating Section 33(3) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act.
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The second count accuses them of obstructing a regulatory investigation, contrary to Section 111(1) of the same Act.
Justice Yilwa has adjourned the case to September 25 for arraignment.
In a separate matter, the Nigerian Copyright Commission has filed a copyright infringement charge against MTN Nigeria, its CEO Karl Toriola, Senior Executive Officer Nkeakam Abhulimen, and telecom service provider Fun Mobile Ltd, including its CEO, Yahaya Maibe.
The case, filed in March 2024 and currently before Justice Inyang Ekwo, alleges that the defendants unlawfully used and profited from the copyrighted works of musician Maleke Moye as caller ring-back tunes between 2010 and 2017.
Although scheduled to continue on May 15, proceedings in the copyright case were stalled as the court did not sit. The matter had been previously delayed due to the Attorney-General of the Federation expressing interest in taking over the prosecution.
NAN
