The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is set to arraign Mr. Karl Toriola, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, on May 28 over alleged non-compliance with a lawful summons.
Toriola, alongside MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Tobechukwu Okigbo (Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer), and Ikenna Ikeme (General Manager, Regulatory Affairs), is facing charges for failing to produce documents and information requested by the FCCPC.
The case will be heard by Justice H.J. Yilwa at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to court filings, the defendants are charged in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/354/2024, which was initiated by a legal team led by Akoji Achimugu.
However, when the case was called, none of the defendants appeared in court.
Justice Yilwa questioned the FCCPC’s legal representative, Chizenum Nsitem, about their absence.
Nsitem explained that he had recently been briefed on the matter and requested more time to review the case file.
Also Read: Musician Takes MTN To Court Over Copyright
Consequently, the judge adjourned the arraignment to May 28.
Meanwhile, MTN Nigeria and its executives are also facing separate legal action from the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC). In a case before Justice Inyang Ekwo, MTN and its CEO, along with other co-defendants, are accused of unauthorized commercial use of musical works belonging to artist Maleke Moye.
The NCC alleges that, between 2010 and 2017, the telecom company unlawfully sold and distributed Maleke’s songs as caller ringback tunes without his consent.
The copyright case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024, was initially filed on March 20, 2024.
Following the Attorney-General of the Federation’s (AGF) interest in the case, Justice Ekwo adjourned the proceedings to May 15 for a status report.
As both cases progress, MTN Nigeria and its top executives face increasing legal scrutiny over alleged regulatory and copyright violations.
