Business

CBN governor “optimistic” MTN issue will be resolved “soon”

752


By Ruth Olurounbi
The Nigerian central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele has hinted that the MTN problems with the regulatory body will probably be resolved soon, saying the South African company is “systemically” important to Nigeria’s economy.

“We will resolve the matter in a way that will leave MTN, the banks, the government and the Central Bank of Nigeria happy,” he told reporters on Tuesday in the capital, Abuja, after he announced that the bank was retaining Monetary Policy Rate at 14%.

Emefiele said the central bank had not imposed a fine or sanction on MTN, rather, it is seeking that the wireless operator reverses the $8.1 billion it had repratriated from the Nigeria with the regulatory body’s approval.

“I would call it neither a fine nor a penalty. We want a reversal of that transaction because it was not finally authorized by the Central Bank of Nigeria. We will invite the banks and the company to prove their case,” he said.

Emefiele also said that the central bank has received documents from the telecommunication operator as well as the banks fined for helping the company illegally move $8.1 billion from the Nigeria and the bank’s examiners reviewing the information.

“It’s important that the country’s foreign-exchange laws be obeyed” adding “in due course, we’ll make a final call on this subject,” he said.

Author

See also  CBN says it strengthened FX market with $242m

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Cardless Payments Go Nationwide via New UBA, Redtech, and MoMo PSB Deal

By Maryanne Awuya United Bank for Africa (UBA), Redtech, and MoMo Payment...

Jim Ovia Retires from Zenith Bank; Mustafa Bello Steps In

By Maryanne Awuya Zenith Bank has announced the retirement of its founder...

SEC Crackdown: 13 Nigerian Firms Hit With Asset Freeze for Terror Financing

The Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered an immediate asset...

From Crisis to Recovery: How the CBN’s “Bold Reset” Reshaped Nigeria’s 2026 Economy

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is charting a measured path to...