The Federal Government has said that despite the court action initiated by MTN against the N1.4trn fine which was later reduced to N780 billion, the fine still stands and another fine may be imposed if the telecoms company refuses to pay the fine before the deadline.

Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare made it clear that nothing would stop the government from imposing additional fine on MTN.

He said “It is the right of MTN to approach the court but there was an infraction, which MTN admitted to have committed before it pleaded for leniency that led to the reduction of the fine from N1.4 trillion to N780 billion and the subsequent December 31, 2015 deadline to pay.

“If it has decided to go to court, it is still within the ambit of the law. I will not intervene, since they have gone to court, we will allow the court to decide if it is right for MTN to commit those infractions and breach the laws of the land.

“It is unwise for MTN to go to court after the Federal Government had magnanimously reduced the fine. It will surely be fined for violating the rule at the expiration of the deadline, should it fail to pay the initial fine.”