The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has scheduled May 28, 2025, for the arraignment of Karl Toriola, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, over alleged non-compliance with regulatory summons.
The case, which also implicates other top MTN executives, stems from accusations of failing to produce documents and information required by the commission, a violation of the FCCPC Act.
Toriola, alongside MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Tobechukwu Okigbo (Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer), and Ikenna Ikeme (General Manager of Regulatory Affairs), will appear before Justice H.J. Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/354/2024, lists MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Toriola, Okigbo, and Ikeme as the 1st to 4th defendants, respectively.
During a recent court session, the case was called for arraignment, but the defendants were not present.
Justice Yilwa inquired about their whereabouts, prompting FCCPC counsel Chizenum Nsitem to request additional time to review the case file, as he had only recently been briefed on the matter. Consequently, the judge adjourned the arraignment to May 28, 2025.
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Copyright Infringement Charges Also Pending Against MTN Nigeria
In a separate legal battle, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has filed copyright infringement charges against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd, its CEO Karl Toriola, and senior executive officer Nkeakam Abhulimen, alongside Fun Mobile Ltd, a telecommunications service provider, and its CEO Yahaya Maibe.
The charges, contained in case FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024 and currently before Justice Inyang Ekwo, were filed on March 20, 2024.
The NCC alleges that between 2010 and 2017, the defendants unlawfully distributed and sold copyrighted musical works belonging to Nigerian artist Maleke Moye as “caller ringback tunes” without his consent or authorization.
The allegedly infringed works include tracks such as 911, Minimini-Wana Wana, Stop Racism, Ewole, 911 Instrumental, Radio, Low Waist, and No Bother. The defendants are accused of selling and distributing these musical recordings to subscribers, thereby violating the artist’s copyright.
The NCC contends that these actions contravene Section 20 (2) (a), (b), and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Justice Ekwo had earlier adjourned the case to May 15, 2025, following the Attorney-General of the Federation’s (AGF) interest in taking over the prosecution.
As both legal proceedings move forward, MTN Nigeria and its executives face increasing scrutiny over their regulatory and business practices, with potential implications for the telecommunications giant’s operations in the country.
The public awaits further developments as the courts address the allegations in the coming months.
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