Court fixes Dec. 3 for hearing on MTN Suit against FG

A Federal High Court, Lagos, will on Dec. 3 hear a suit by MTN Nigeria Communication Ltd against the Attorney General of the Federation challenging the legality of N242 billion and 1.3 billion dollars import duties and withholding tax assessment.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke fixed the date for hearing of all pending applications after counsel representing both parties had informed the court of their various applications filed and served.

On Thursday, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) with other senior lawyers, appeared for MTN, while Mr T.A Gazali, a Chief State Counsel from the Federal Ministry of Justice, appeared for the AGF.

Counsel informed the court of the various processes filed before the court and served on respective parties to the suit.

Following this development, Justice Aneke set Dec.3 for hearing of all pending applications before the court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MTN instituted the suit by a writ dated Sept.10, challenging mainly, the legality of the AGF’s assessment of its import duties, withholding tax and value added tax in the sums of N242 billion and 1.3 billion dollars.

In its writ of summons, MTN is seeking declaratory reliefs on the following grounds:

That the purported “Revenue assets investigation” allegedly carried out by the Federal Government on MTN, for the period of 2007 – 2017, and its decision conveyed through the office of the AGF by a letter dated Aug. 20, violates the provisions of Section 36 of the constitution.

A declaration that the AGF acted in excess of its powers, by purporting to direct through its letter of May 10, a “self assessment exercise” which usurps the powers of the Nigerian Customs Service to demand payment of import duties on importation of physical goods.

A declaration that the AGF acted illegally, by usurping the powers of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, to audit and demand remittance of withholding tax and value added tax.

A declaration that the purported “self assessment” exercise instituted by the AGF via its letter of May 10, is unknown to law, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

A declaration that the AGF’s demand of the sums of N242 billion and 1.3 billion dollars from MTN, is premised on a process which is malicious, unreasonable and made on incorrect legal basis.

In addition, the plaintiff wants a court order, vacating the AGF’s demand letter dated Aug. 20, for the sums of N242 billion and 1.3 billion dollars from MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd.

Besides, MTN is claiming a total sum of N3 billion in damages against the defendant, which covers general damages, exemplary damages, and Legal costs.

Meanwhile, in its preliminary objection, the AGF argued that the plaintiff in seeking redress to the subject matter, has just three months from the date the cause of action arose, to institute the action.

It argues that the plaintiff commenced the suit in clear disregard to section 2 of the Public Officers Protection Act, which provides that any action commenced against a public officer, must be made within three months from commencement of cause of action.

AGF argues that plaintiff’s failure to commence the suit within three months as stipulated by law, robs the court of its jurisdiction to entertain same.

NAN reports that MTN also filed a similar suit before a judge of the same court against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over alleged 8.1bllion dollars repatriated funds.

It is seeking an injunction to restrain the CBN from taking further actions to reclaim the alleged debts.

The CBN alleged that the telecoms firm improperly repatriated dividends, and requested that MTN returns 8.1 billion dollars to its coffers.

The suit is set for hearing before Justice Saliu Saidu on Dec. 4. NAN