Court Rejects AG’s Notice Of Objection In MTN Case
Today, 7th May 2019, Honourable Justice Aneke, who presided against the MTN v AGF suit, instituted by the telecommunications company at the Federal High Court, has rejected the Notice of Preliminary Objection filed by the Attorney General of the Federation.
On March 26, 2019, in response to the suit, the AGF requested for the dismissal stating that the suit was not filed within the appropriate time frame which was asserted to be within three months of receipt of the initial request for self-assessment.
In dismissing the objection, the judge determined that MTN’s civil suit was not statute barred as the company was required to file its case within three months of receipt of the actual demand notice. This was established to have been fulfilled.
Following a demand notice from the office of the Attorney General alleging unpaid duties and taxes between 2007 and 2017, MTN Nigeria filed a suit in November 2018, challenging the Attorney General’s authority to deal with issues around tax and customs duties.
MTN Nigeria has continued to maintain its full compliance with Nigerian tax laws. The company remains committed to meeting its fiscal responsibilities, and to contributing to the social and economic development of Nigeria.
Since incorporation in 2001, MTN has invested more than NGN2 trillion into the Nigerian economy and has paid more than NGN 1.7 trillion in taxes, levies and other regulatory fees.
