Nigeria has been hit hard by recession and in these desperate economic times, every kobo counts. It is the reason Dino Melaye cited for going after MTN for allegedly making illegal transfers to the tune of $12 billion dollars out of Nigeria over a 10 year period.
Senator Melaye put forth this allegation to the Senate and asked their permission to investigate further. Senator Melaye said that after MTN purchased their license of operations in Nigeria in February 2001, it has “moved over $12 billion out of Nigeria. That is about half of our external reserves”.
According to Senator Melaye, “all hands must be on deck to recover every loot in the country. We are in a precarious situation and now is the time to recover every stolen money in the country.”
MTN has been in the crosshairs of the Nigerian government for a while now. There was that episode with Nigerian Communications Commission last year, for which they were fined 3.9 billion. Then there was also the Copyright Society of Nigeria 16 billion naira suit against MTN this year.
So this allegation is not surprising. But is it accurate? These tweeps don’t think so, considering who made the allegation – Senator Dino Melaye.
Dino has had his fair share of controversy for making baseless accusations. For instance in 2005 when he accused three principal officers of the House- Tunde Akogun (House Leader), Baba Shehu Agaie (Deputy House Leader) and Emeka Ihedioha (Chief Whip) – of mismanaging funds(N 130/160) million released to them to organize events in the House. He later recanted his words, saying he did not accuse them of fraud. In 2015, it was Remita/System specs, where he alleged that N25billion was collected by the firm for remitting government funds into the single Treasury Account. This also was found to be false.
See the discussion below.
MTN just can't seem to catch a break. Tempted to ignore the accusation considering who it came from but they've been accused of this before.
— Mark Amaza (@amasonic) September 27, 2016
what is illegal about what MTN did? Being able to repatriate their proceeds was one of the key things we promised investors
— Tunde Leye (@tundeleye) September 27, 2016
when did we promise them this? Was MTN among those promised this? @amasonic
— Ikenna Ronald Nzimora (@ronaldnzimora) September 27, 2016
Answer to Q1 – Part of the telecoms lib deal and with other FDI initiatives. To Q2 – yes they were.
— Tunde Leye (@tundeleye) September 27, 2016
100% capital repatriation, right?
— Mark Amaza (@amasonic) September 27, 2016
once they pay taxes. Essentially, the funds can move across border freely both way. And they've been paying taxes
— Tunde Leye (@tundeleye) September 27, 2016
in fact, outside Oil and Gas, MTN is the biggest tax payer in Nigeria. Not our patriotic Alhaji Putin.
— Tunde Leye (@tundeleye) September 27, 2016
if they were promised that, then they did no wrong. I unlooked the story earlier because it was originated by Dino. @amasonic
— Ikenna Ronald Nzimora (@ronaldnzimora) September 27, 2016
we can go back to ignoring the story. It was the same thing he did with Remita.
— Mark Amaza (@amasonic) September 27, 2016
he does these things to rule up the public and then seek settlement. Maybe it worked in the past. No one cares now. @tundeleye
— Ikenna Ronald Nzimora (@ronaldnzimora) September 27, 2016
This fool does not know the damage he does……
— Why Nations Fail (@BabatundeEdun) September 27, 2016
Premium Times should take a chunk of the blame here. That misguided report is probably what Dino gleamed
— Yvonne Johnson (@YTJohnson) September 27, 2016
That's not true … It's Dangote Group i think
— I.B (@ibrahim0608) September 27, 2016
true that. I've read the journalist who wrote that b4. He is usually good. Wonder what happened here
— Mark Amaza (@amasonic) September 27, 2016
Same "sin" Stanbic got accused of.
— Yvonne Johnson (@YTJohnson) September 27, 2016
Dino is an idiot. Premium Times is a tabloid rag sheet. @tundeleye @amasonic
— Why Nations Fail (@BabatundeEdun) September 27, 2016
ouch..
— Yvonne Johnson (@YTJohnson) September 27, 2016
you think? Think? You're not even sure, but assert with authority that what another person says isn't true @tundeleye @amasonic
— Ikenna Ronald Nzimora (@ronaldnzimora) September 27, 2016
bro ma why J ignore. No need @ibrahim0608 @amasonic
— Tunde Leye (@tundeleye) September 27, 2016
But Melaye said the CBN was not notified of the capital flight within 48 hours required by regulations
— Poju (@pojugreat) September 27, 2016
I don't believe anything Dino says and you know why of course. @tundeleye @amasonic
— Ikenna Ronald Nzimora (@ronaldnzimora) September 27, 2016
sure I do. But I think the claim should still be investigated. He may be right. @tundeleye @amasonic
— Poju (@pojugreat) September 27, 2016
He said illegally done in violation of the FOREX (Monitoring and Miscellaneous) Act. He may be right o
— Poju (@pojugreat) September 27, 2016
just to be sure, I read the act before commenting. Nothing. The guy Na mkpi
— Tunde Leye (@tundeleye) September 27, 2016
Lmao. It's well.
— Poju (@pojugreat) September 27, 2016
Like he was right with SystemSpecs
— SoulJah (@jeffphilips1) September 27, 2016
sadly he knows exactly what he's doing. He's an experienced shakedown artist.
— Arthur of Camelot (@KingArthurOG) September 27, 2016
lol.
— Mark Amaza (@amasonic) September 27, 2016
Dino 10 may be right…..Our Senator of life. Lol pic.twitter.com/vznB9RiO3U
— Poju (@pojugreat) September 27, 2016
smh. We should expect Dino 11 then.
— Mark Amaza (@amasonic) September 27, 2016
He said illegally done in violation of the FOREX (Monitoring and Miscellaneous) Act. He may be right o
— Poju (@pojugreat) September 27, 2016
RT/ You just hit the nail on the head. Thanks a bunch!!!
— ABIODUN OGUNDIPE (@abefem) September 27, 2016
We do not hope that this allegation actually has merit and is not another wild goose chase inspired by Senator Dino Melaye.
Leave a reply