News
USSD War: MTN snubs Banks, Finds Alternatives
MTN customers in Nigeria now have alternative electronic payment platforms to recharge their phones as the mobile network operator on Saturday announced that customers can recharge airtime through payment solutions platforms such as Flutterwave, Jumia Pay, OPay, Kuda, Carbon and BillsnPay.
MTN in a statement on Saturday by its Senior Manager, External Relations, Funso Aina, also said customers could recharge airtime by dialing *904# and *606#.
This is coming barely 24 hours after commercial banks on Friday disconnected MTN customers from banking channels including the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data and banking apps, leaving millions of MTN subscribers frustrated as they were unable to recharge airtime via USSD amid the Easter celebrations.
MTN, with about 77 million subscribers, making up about 45 per cent of the total telecommunication market share in Nigeria, is arguably the largest telecommunication operator in the country.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the telco reduced the banks’ commission from an average of 3.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent which predicated the actions of the banks.
The banks had written MTN to revert to the old commission, otherwise, they would block MTN airtime in all their channels.
The banks, except Zenith Bank which was connected directly to MTN, subsequently blocked MTN from their banking channels, leaving customers stranded as they were unable to recharge virtually.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, had said the matter would be resolved. “We have reached an advance stage of resolving the issues, for the services to be restored to our citizens,” he had said.
But in the statement on Saturday, MTN said, “It will interest you to note that for the benefit of our customers who have been greatly inconvenienced by the service suspension, we now have alternative channels of accessing MTN services electronically.”
A source in the industry said the most important factor is that MTN was able to quickly come up with alternatives through fintech companies.
“There are so many possibilities through fintech. It is about being responsive and flexible to alternatives for customers to enjoy MTN services as they have been enjoying before the disconnection by the banks. It is about being solution-focused,” the source said.
Asked whether MTN might have used the fintech platforms as alternatives before the disconnection, the source, who craved anonymity, said the development was totally new and spontaneous.
The source could not, however, give an update on the discussion the minister started with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission to broker peace between the banks and MTN.
But the source stressed that even after the issue becomes resolved, it would be wise for MTN not to put its eggs in a basket. The source said it would be wise for MTN not to abandon the fintech companies because “if it happens today, who says it will not happen tomorrow?
News
IGP orders withdrawal of police attached to Yahaya Bello
IGP orders withdrawal of police attached to Yahaya Bello
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has withdrawn all police officers attached to former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello.
This is contained in a police wireless message obtained on Friday.
The document with reference number: “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34 read, “IG has ordered the withdrawal of all policemen attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has also placed Bello on its watchlist after he evaded arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N80 billion financial crime.
The notice to this effect comes a few hours after the EFCC declared the former Governor wanted.
Bello is being wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt practices while in office as Kogi Governor.
News
Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest
Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest
The internet users has bombarded the twitter page (X) of the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga over his comment on former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who resisted arrest by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Recall EFCC declared the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, wanted for alleged misappropriation of funds while in office. The development has been attracting mixed reactions from members of the public, and one of those who reacted was the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy.
On Thursday, the EFCC had declared Yahaya Bello wanted in connection with an alleged case of money laundering to the tune of about 80 billion naira.
Sharing a photo of the former governor online, the anti-graft agency said that anyone with useful information about his whereabouts should contact them.
READ ALSO:
- Boy, 19, nabbed for raping 9-year-old girl in Kwara
- 16 killed as Borno bus runs over ISWAP explosives
- BREAKING : Israel launches deadly attacks on Iran
Reacting to that, Onanuga asked Bello where he intends to run to, and advised him to turn himself in to the EFCC and get a good lawyer that would defend him.
He said, “Yahaya Bello, where will you run to? It’s better you submit yourself to the EFCC and get a good lawyer.”
Below are the reactions:
Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest
News
Updated: More trouble for Yahaya Bello as Immigration places him on watch list
Updated: More trouble for Yahaya Bello as Immigration places him on watch list
The Nigeria Immigration Service has ordered the arrest of former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaha Bello, if found at any entry/exit point of the country.
The NIS said on Thursday night that Yahaya Bellowas placed on its watchlist after evading arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of N80 billion fraud.
This notice came a few hours after the EFCC had declared the former governor wanted.
The NIS, in a letter addressed to the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency as well as other formations declared that Bello had been placed on its watch list.
The letter was signed by the Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (Suspect Index), D S Umar, on behalf of the Comptroller General of the Immigration Service.
Part of the letter read, “Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for Conspiracy, Breach of Trust and Money Laundering vide letter Ref: CR: 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/TE/V 1/279 dated 18th April 2024, if seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action.”
BREAKING: Court acquits Ex-AGF Adoke
Army releases Delta traditional ruler detained over slain 17 soldiers
BREAKING: Tension in Benue as riot police take over APC secretariat
-
News7 days agoFG gives update on where fleeing Binance executive is hiding
-
metro7 days agoTroops neutralise 188 terrorists, rescue 133 hostages in assault operations
-
metro7 days agoViral video: Edo CP orders trial of officer threatening people with gun
-
Opinion7 days agoBBC, Betta Edu, and ministry of corruption – Farooq Kperogi
-
News6 days agoNLC, TUC jointly propose N615,000 new minimum wage
-
Sports5 days agoUnited in hot chase for Osimhen amid transfer speculations
-
News7 days agoI helped Emefiele to collect $3m cash – Dispatch rider
-
Business7 days agoNaira could trade below ₦1,000/$ – Goldman Sachs