Condemn unconstitutional review of fine

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA—THE House of Representatives yesterday condemned the interference of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over the reduction of the N104 trillion fine imposed on the South African telecommunication giant, MTN.

The House stated that the AGF had no right to negotiate a reduction of the N1.04trillion fine imposed on the MTN by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, for violating sections 19 and 20 of the registration of Telephone Subsribers Regulation, 2011.

The House said that neither the President of the country, the lawmakers nor the MTN was above the law  of the land, hence, the telecommunication outfit must obey and pay the fine as imposed by NCC.

The House, presided over by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate where the AGF derived the power to negotiate a reduction of the fine from and if he was not usurping the powers of the legislature.

The ad hoc committee will also investigate if the NCC also has the authority under the law to reduce the fine which under sections 19 and 30 of the law are fixed, and if this did not amount to amending the law without recourse to the National Assembly.

The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion sponsored by a member, Johnson Agbonayinma, representing Egor/Ikpoba/Okha Federal Constituency of Edo State on the floor of the House.