FCCPC Accuses MTN Nigeria CEO and Top Executives of Evading Court Summons
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the Managing Director and CEO of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Mr Karl Toriola, and other top executives are allegedly evading service of court documents in an ongoing criminal case.
Ongoing Case Against MTN Executives
FCCPC lawyer, Nsitem Chizenum, made the claim on Wednesday during resumed proceedings before Justice Hauwa Yilwa, where the agency is pursuing charges against MTN Nigeria, Toriola, Tobechukwu Okigbo (Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer), and Ikenna Ikeme (GM, Regulatory Affairs).
The commission filed a two-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/354/2024, accusing the company and its executives of failing to comply with a lawful summons and of obstructing a regulatory investigation, contrary to provisions of the FCCPC Act, 2018.
The charges were filed on July 22, 2024, following a formal request for documents and information on May 17, 2024, which was extended via a follow-up letter on June 5, 2024.
Despite the court fixing May 28, 2025 for arraignment, none of the defendants were present.
Allegations of Evasion and Delay
“We have made several efforts and even involved the court bailiff, but it appears the defendants are deliberately evading service,” Chizenum stated. He added that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has been contacted and is processing an application to assist in producing the defendants.
Justice Yilwa subsequently adjourned the matter to September 25, 2025, for arraignment.
Details of the Charges
Count One: The defendants are accused of failing to produce required documents and information requested on May 17, 2024, as extended by a June 5 letter. This is a violation of Section 33(3) of the FCCPC Act.
Count Two: They are also accused of obstructing and impeding the commission’s ongoing inquiry by refusing to supply the requested documentation. This contravenes Section 111(1) and is punishable under Section 111(2) of the FCCPC Act.
Related Case: Copyright Charges Involving MTN and Maleke Moye’s Music
Separately, MTN Nigeria and its CEO are facing another criminal case filed by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC). In a three-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024, the NCC accused MTN Nigeria; Karl Toriola; Nkeakam Abhulimen, a senior executive; Fun Mobile Ltd; and its CEO Yahaya Maibe, of unauthorized use of musical works belonging to Nigerian artiste Maleke Moye between 2010 and 2017.
The works were allegedly exploited as caller ringback tunes without proper authorization, violating Section 20(2) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the copyright matter to May 15, 2025, for a report, following an intervention by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). However, the hearing could not proceed because the court did not sit.
What This Means
The dual legal troubles facing MTN Nigeria raise concerns about corporate accountability, compliance with regulatory authorities, and intellectual property protection. As these high-profile cases progress, they could have significant implications for telecommunications governance and consumer rights in Nigeria.
