MTN denies fraud allegation against NITEL

By Prince Osuagwu

MTN Nigeria, yesterday, dismissed the allegation contained in the affidavit sworn by former NITEL General Manager, Mr Solomon Ogundele that it colluded with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to divert over N1 trillion belonging to NITEL by fraudulent means.
The company described the allegation as ‘patently untrue’
Reacting to the allegations, MTN’s Corporate Services Executive, Mr. Wale Goodluck, said that Ogundele’s accusations to MTN were odious and reprehensible.
“MTN Nigeria is not at liberty to comment on the details of the matter of PDP V MTN&NCC, as they are sub judice. However, we reject in no uncertain terms the allegations made by the plaintiffs in this case and their agents. Not only are they patently untrue, they have absolutely no bearing on the issues in this case. They are designed to distract and muddy the waters. MTN Nigeria will make a detailed response to these odious and reprehensible allegations through normal court processes,” he added.
Goodluck urged MTN’s customers and the general public to disregard the frivolous and mischievous allegations, stressing that the company remained committed to upholding the sanctity of the law of the land and would never infringe them under any circumstances.
Former General Manager in charge of Operations with the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), Engr Solomon Ogundele, had accused MTN Nigeria of colluding with the NCC to divert over N1 trillion belonging to NITEL by fraudulent means.
According to Ogundele, the NCC deliberately and in collusion with MTN and others, introduced a fraudulent interconnection agreement which allocated specific and excessive value to call termination as a tool for perpetrating massive fraud and money laundering.
His claim was contained in an affidavit in support of a suit brought on MTN and NCC by former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Osun and Ekiti State chapters for allegedly providing the National Judicial Council. NJC  probe panel with incomplete and inadequate call data records.
Oyinlola and the PDP filed a N150 billion suit on MTN for allegedly doctoring the call data records it provided to the probe panel. The suit also prayed that the court  revokes the operating licence of MTN Nigeria.
In a 62-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Ogundele and filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on last Thursday, May 9, Ogundele alleged that there were very serious fraud contained in the interconnection agreement imposed on the telecommunications sector by NCC, in connivance with MTN.