Kogi MTN subscribers threaten legal action over commuication failure as faceoff lingers

As faceoff between Kogi State Government and Mobile Telecommunications Network, MTN lingers, subscribers are the moment threatening legal action over communication failure in the State.

Dispute arose after Kogi State claimed that the MTN, a communication giant failed to pay required fees in compliance with Kogi State Utility Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency (KUIMCA) and the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS).

The two agencies thereafter sealed off MTN’s offices and the communication services were brought to a halt with the subscribers at the receiving end.

The subscribers who expected a quick resolution of impasse were disappointed after months of services shutdown in Kogi, thereby making them to start scrambling for alternative networks, overwhelming the infrastructure of other providers like Glo and Airtel.

The resulting congestion has severely impacted service quality, making communication difficult for residents.

Dr Julius Elukpo, Chairman of the Kogi Elders Forum, has threatened to sue MTN if services are not restored within 24 hours.

“The lack of network has caused me a lot of damages,” he said, calling on affected customers to take similar action.

Elukpo emphasised that MTN should settle its disputes with the government and make necessary payments to restore services.

The state government maintains that MTN has not fulfilled its obligations, including paying fees for its extensive fiber optic network across the state.

KUIMCA and KGIRS have vowed not to lift the shutdown until MTN complies with state regulations.