MTN said it would challenge the hefty fine imposed on it by Nigerian authorities who expect payment by month's end.
MTN spokesperson, Chris Maroleng, said Friday that they have valid grounds to contest the Nigerian Communications Commissions powers after it slapped the South African company with a $3.5bn fine for failing to deactivate 5.2 million unregistered sim cards by an August deadline.
MTN was initially fined $5.2bn but this was reduced to $3.4bn but later increased to $3.9bn.
"MTN Nigeria acting on legal advice has resolved that the manner of the imposition of the fine and the quantum thereof is not in accordance with the NCC’s powers under the Nigerian Communications Act and therefore there are valid grounds upon which to challenge the fine," an MTN statement said.
"Accordingly MTN has followed due process and has instructed its lawyers to proceed with an action in the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking the appropriate reliefs."
The Commission’s spokesman Tony Ojobo told a Nigerian newspaper that they have not yet received a written notice from MTN, but he said they "would meet them” in court.
