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Osun govt, MTN in dispute over N1bn Right of Way fee
Osun govt, MTN in dispute over N1bn Right of Way fee
Tech giant, MTN Nigeria, is currently locked in a dispute with the Osun State government over an alleged outstanding Right of Way (RoW) fee and penalty worth over N1 billion.
According to documents sighted by Nairametrics, the Osun State Government is demanding the tech company pay a sum of N945 million as RoW fees for 270 kilometres of fibre optic and a penalty fee of N100 million for an alleged non-payment of the fee.
However, MTN said it owed no fee as it had signed a legal contractual agreement with Odua Infraco, which is partly owned by the Osun government and licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and made all necessary payments to the company before laying its cables in the State.
The documents also revealed that Odua Infraco has the right of way for 1031.44 kilometres across four states (Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti States) for the construction and operation of fibre infrastructure, for which MTN signed a contract with the InfraCo.
Origin of the dispute
Nairametrics learnt that the disagreement between the State and the tech company started with the former’s appointment of a consultant, Global Transaction Nigeria Limited (GTNL) to handle the collection of RoW charges even with the existence of Odua Infraco doing the same.
According to the documents, MTN’s business relationship with Osun State, through O’odua Infraco, was seamless until the company received a letter dated 14th September 2023 from GTNL introducing itself and informing the company of its appointment as Technical Consultant to the Osun State Ministry of Environment on telecommunications infrastructure within the state.
- GTNL also informed MTN that it had been tasked by the Osun State Government to coordinate telecommunications infrastructure pursuant to the Osun State Environmental Protection Law 2022, including the inspection, audit, and monitoring of installations within the state to ensure compliance with the environmental laws and safety standards to protect the people of Osun State.
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- Subsequently, by a letter dated 15th December 2023, GTNL notified MTN of an ongoing investigation of Odua Infraco’s activities in Osun State, alleging that Odua Infraco did not have any legal right to lay fibre optic cables within Osun State and requested for a meeting with MTN.
- At the meeting, GTNL informed MTN that there was a plan to terminate Odua Infraco’s Right of Way and Easement Agreement with Osun State owing to O’odua Infraco’s alleged breach of its terms of appointment, non-remittance of fees to Osun State’s account, contravention of the Osun State Environmental Law, and illegal award of right-of-way to telecommunications operators including MTN.
However, Odua Infraco in a letter dated January 20th, 2024 sent to MTN countered GNTL’s allegations and insisted that its Right of Way and Easement Agreement with Osun State Government was still subsisting.
Amid efforts to resolve the matter, MTN received two letters from GTNL with Demand Notices both dated 25th March 2024, requiring the company to pay N945 million for its fibre cable plus N100 million as a penalty.
Regulatory intervention
While the consultant to the Osun State Government, GTNL, is insisting on the payment of over N1 billion by MTN, Newstrends learnt that the matter is now before the Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department of the NCC.
The telecom regulator is currently seeking a way of resolving the issue which is about to cast a dent on its infrastructure project.
- Recall that NCC in 2018 under its InfraCo project aimed at fast-tracking the deployment of fibre optic cables across the country, licensed Odua Infraco Resources Limited for South West alongside 4 other companies including Brinks Integrated Solutions Limited for North East Zone; Fleek Network Limited for North West; Raenna Nigeria Limited for South-South; and Zinox Technology Limited for Southeast.
- Before that, MainOne’s subsidiary, Infraco Nigeria Limited and IHS were the first two companies to be licensed in 2016 to cover Lagos and the North Central zone including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
- However, IHS later returned its licence, which was re-issued to Broadbased Communications Ltd. in 2021.
Osun govt, MTN in dispute over N1bn Right of Way fee
News
Troops Rescue 119 Kidnap Victims, Eliminate Terrorists in Nationwide Crackdown – DHQ
Troops Rescue 119 Kidnap Victims, Eliminate Terrorists in Nationwide Crackdown – DHQ
ABUJA — Nigerian troops have rescued 119 abducted civilians and neutralised several terrorists during a week-long series of military operations across the country, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced.
The operations, conducted between November 6 and November 12, reportedly dealt significant blows to insurgents, kidnappers and other criminal groups operating in different parts of the country.
The latest military breakthrough comes amid growing concerns over insecurity, particularly attacks on motorists, abductions and terrorist activities along major highways and communities.
According to updates from the military high command, troops recorded significant successes across several operational theatres, with Borno State emerging as one of the major areas where security forces disrupted terrorist activities.
In one of the operations, soldiers reportedly intercepted insurgents attempting to ambush motorists and abduct travellers along major transportation routes in the state.
The intervention prevented the planned abductions and further demonstrated the military’s efforts to secure vulnerable highways and protect commuters.
The DHQ disclosed that 119 kidnapped civilians, including women and children, were rescued during the period under review.
The military also reported the elimination of several terrorists during offensive engagements targeting criminal hideouts, operational bases and suspected supply networks.
Beyond the rescue operations and neutralisation of insurgents, troops recovered eight operational vehicles allegedly seized by terrorists, alongside assorted weapons, ammunition and other logistical equipment.
Security operations were also intensified outside the North-East, with troops and other security agencies carrying out intelligence-led raids, disrupting kidnapping attempts and confronting criminal elements in the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau and Kwara states.
Watch: Nigerian Military Operations Against Terrorists and Rescue of Kidnap Victims
For additional context on the military’s ongoing anti-terrorism campaign and rescue operations, watch the video below:
The military’s nationwide operations were aimed at dismantling criminal networks, preventing further attacks and restoring confidence among residents and travellers using vulnerable routes.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed its determination to sustain pressure on terrorist groups and other criminal elements until lasting peace and security are restored across the country.
The latest operational figures represent another major effort by the Nigerian military in its ongoing campaign against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
Troops Rescue 119 Kidnap Victims, Eliminate Terrorists in Nationwide Crackdown – DHQ
News
Photo News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq
Photo News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq
L-R: AIG Aderemi Opadokun (Rtd); Air Commodore Asa Buhari (Rtd); Major General Abidoye Olayemi (rtd); Team Lead Kwara State Security Strategy Committee, Major General Garba Abdulwahab (rtd); Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON); Rear Admiral A.B Lawal (rtd); Col. A.A Lawal (rtd); Alhaji M.A Jimba; Director of Special Services Governor’s Office, Mrs. Folorunsho Idayat Adeola; and Permanent Secretary General Service, Alhaji Shuaib Yitta, during a visit by members of the committee to the state governor (to submit their report) at the Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, on Wednesday.
News
Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle
PORT HARCOURT – The Rivers State Police Command has paraded two young men arrested over the alleged murder of a commercial motorcycle operator, whose motorcycle they reportedly stole after luring him into a remote forest in the state.
The suspects, identified as 24-year-old Abubakar Sani and 20-year-old Yusuf Magaji, were arrested following an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Emohua.
The police said Sani allegedly confessed to participating in the killing of the victim, identified as Sani Musa, before the suspects escaped with his motorcycle.
Musa, a native of Zago Town in Kafin Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, was reportedly operating as a commercial motorcycle rider in Rivers State before his death.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly lured the rider to a remote forest in Mbiama, Ahoada West Local Government Area, where they attacked and stabbed him to death.
His body was subsequently dumped in thick bushes, while the suspects allegedly fled with his motorcycle.
The police further disclosed that the suspects planned to transport the stolen motorcycle to Kano State through a waybill arrangement, allegedly hoping to evade security checks and conceal the motorcycle’s origin.
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The alleged criminal operation was uncovered at about 1pm on October 22, when police operatives received intelligence that some individuals were dismantling a suspected stolen motorcycle at Choba Motor Park.
Acting on the information, operatives of the VCRU moved to the location and arrested Sani and Magaji, who were both said to be from Kano State.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the murder and subsequently led investigators to the Mbiama forest, where the decomposing remains of the deceased were recovered.
The recovery of the body provided investigators with further evidence in the ongoing investigation into the killing.
The command said arrangements were being made to release the deceased’s remains to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites, following a request by his relatives.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the murder, identify possible accomplices and ensure that everyone connected to the crime is brought to justice.
The police command reiterated its commitment to combating murder, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across Rivers State.
It also urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to help prevent criminal activities and improve public safety.
The two suspects are expected to face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle
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