Following the imposition of $5.2 billion (about N1.04 trillion) fine on MTN Nigeria by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) for the operator's failure to disconnect customers with unregistered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards on its network, the management of MTN has initiation a bargaining move with the Commission for a reduction in the fine.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has impounded a fined of N1.04 trillion to MTN for alleged breach of subscriber identity module (SIM) registration rules.

NCC Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, said MTN was discovered to be harbouring about 5.2million defective SIM cards on its network which it failed to deactivate.

NCC's Public Affairs Director, Mr. Tony Ojobo, while confirming the imposition of the fine on MTN, said “Of course, I can confirm to you that there was a fine of $5 billion, equivalent to N1.04 trillion, imposed on MTN for non-deactivation of over 5.1 million unregistered SIM card.”

MTN Nigeria last night spoke on the fine, promising to resolve the matter with NCC.

The telco wrote yesterday in an electronic mail that In an electronic mail that “Most pronounce ICT Company in Nigeria, MTN confirmed that the NCC has imposed a N1.4 trillion fine ($5.2billion).

“MTN Nigeria is currently engaging with the NCC to resolve the matter.”