Business
17-Year-Old Entitlement Claim: Ex-Staff Files Motion to Compel MTN To Deposit Judgment Debt and Interest to Court of Appeal
17-Year-Old Entitlement Claim: Ex-Staff Files Motion to Compel MTN To Deposit Judgment Debt and Interest to Court of Appeal
Former expatriate staff of the MTN Group, Mr. Paul Odunewu, has filed a further-reply-affidavit and written address dated December 28, 2023, at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, in support of his application praying the Court or an Order to compel the telecommunications giant MTN, to deposit with the Court the judgement debt and accrued interest as ordered by the National Industrial Court Nigeria (NICN), Akure Division.
In a judgement delivered by Honourable Justice Oyejoju Oyewunmi on September 17, 2017, the Court had found that termination of the employment of the former Network Group Operations Manager on February 28, 2006, was wrongful and malicious; and had ordered the company to pay Mr. Odunewu’s entitlements including share options valued at $13,144,512.00.
MTN had faulted the judgement of NICN and straightaway appealed on September 29, 2017, through their external Counsel, Professor G Elias & Co., vide a notice of appeal containing two grounds alleging that the trial Court breached their fundamental right to fair hearing. MTN also filed a Motion for Stay of Execution of the judgement, but Mr. Odunewu’s Counsel, Prof A. B. Kasunmu’s Chambers, opposed the Stay Motion on the ground that the initiating notice of appeal is not competent.
MTN Group Limited, South Africa (MTNG); MTN Nigeria (MTNN) and MTN International, Mauritius (MTNI) is the first, second, and third Appellant respectively, in this six-year-old appeal which had lasted more than 10 years from the Lagos State High Court to the NICN before judgement was delivered in September 2017.
In his application filed on January 8, 2020, with appeal number CA/1346/2017, Mr. Odunewu’s grounds of the motion include assertions that the Notice of Appeal filed by MTN on September 29, 2017, is highly incompetent and does not raise any substantial or recondite issues of law. Also, MTN have been facing huge fines from various Authorities in Nigeria for regulatory and tax infringements and the cumulative impact of these fines raises existential issues for MTN Nigeria and their ability to pay the judgement sum as due at the determination of the case. Furthermore, the Appellants (MTN) have not been prosecuting this appeal diligently and expeditiously.
Mr. Odunewu supported the motion with financial statements and press releases by MTN (among others). In 2019 MTN completed payment of ₦330 billion Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) fine, and MTN Group had paid $100 million to Lawyers within six months to negotiate the NCC fine. MTN Nigeria reported preferential shares redemption as of December 30, 2019, at a total amount of ₦148.19 billion (or US$399.59 million) in favour of MTN Group. This, consequently, reduced share capital of MTN Nigeria to ₦17.623 billion in 2019 compared to ₦65.145 billion in 2018. On the 24th of December 2018, MTN announced payment of $52.6 Million as a “notional reversal” of $1.0 billion private placement in 2008 based on certificate that did not have final approval and thereby resolved the $8.1 billion dividend repatriation issue with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). A Nigeria Senate Committee had investigated MTN for capital flight and had reported that a total capital inflow of $1.24 Billion was injected for MTN operations in Nigeria for the period 2001 – 2016 whereas MTN Nigeria repatriated $13.92 billion from 2006 to 2016 in the guise of dividends/profit, repayment of loans and licenses/management fee. This meant that MTN, as of 2016, were repatriating US$11.00 for every US$1.00 that they injected into their business in Nigeria.
In a Reply-Affidavit dated February 4, 2022, one Temitayo Adeniyi, a Lawyer at Prof A. B. Kasunmu’s Chambers, deposed that MTN “substituted payment of the fines and associated costs with huge debt and are, therefore, running their operations in Nigeria with riskier financial structure than 2014 (before the 2015 NCC fine).” “In the current Nigerian climate of stronger regulatory oversight, MTN Group redeemed its preference shares and thereby reduced their exposure in Nigeria but created significant financial and economic risk to boost shareholder returns with much higher leverage in 2019 than 2018”. Furthermore, MTN “have not prosecuted this appeal expeditiously but instead they have been prevaricating to regularize the initiating Notice of Appeal dated 29th September 2017 thereby causing enormous delay to the determination of this Appeal. “The Appellants have failed or are unable to take advantage of this honourable Court’s ruling on the 17th of October 2018, that the Motion for Stay of Execution shall abide the determination of the appeal, which is adjourned to 27th February 2019.” He further deposed: “the entire appeal is a masterful delay tactic, cleverly designed by the Appellants to deny the Respondent from enjoying the fruit of the Judgement.”
In a Further-Counter-Affidavit by MTN dated 18th February 2022, one Athanasius Akor, a Lawyer at G. Elias & Co, deposed: “the fact that there is an appeal against the judgement and a pending application for stay of execution are an exercise of the constitutional rights of the appellants”. He deposed that MTN “is not dissipating and is not repatriating its assets out of Nigeria”; and that MTN “conducted an offer for sale of its share on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX) which is a testament of its long term believe and its intention to remain as an active participant in the Nigerian economy.” He further deposed that the 2015 fine has been fully paid since May 2019 and that MTN Nigeria has been making profit and declaring dividends. Mr. Akor deposed that share price of MTN Nigeria jumped to ₦199.8 per share on 17th February 2022. He further deposed that Mr. Odunewu based his analyses on the MTN Nigeria 2018 Audited Account and not the latest 2021 Audited Financial Statement in which MTN Nigeria declared a revenue of circa ₦1.7 Trillion and a profit of circa ₦286 billion. Also “the Respondents has no financial issues that will prevent them from meeting their financial obligations or paying the judgement debt and accrued interest in the event that the appeal is determined in favour of the Applicant and against the Respondents”.
In a Further-Reply-Affidavit sworn to on 28th December 2023, one Ejike Mitchel Maduagwu, a Lawyer at Prof A. B. Kasunmu’s Chambers, deposed that MTN Nigeria “is still being investigated for other tax and revenue leakage matters. Meanwhile the Respondents have repatriated out of Nigeria their huge profit and replaced it with huge debt. The huge revenue, profit, and share price in 2021, as reported in the 2021 Audited Account, are unreliable indicators to determine the Respondents’ ability or willingness to pay the judgement debt or withstand future shock to their business, be it regulatory, economic, or political”. MTN Nigeria reported in their 2021 Audited Account that the demand notice for ₦242 Billion and US$1.3 Billion alleged revenue indebtedness is still undergoing review and reconciliation with both Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). House of Representatives’ (HOR) tax compliance check and alleged US$30 Billion revenue leakage against MTN Nigeria is still undergoing review.
Mr. Odunewu concluded that it is in the interest of justice to grant his application and “direct the Respondents to deposit with this honourable Court the judgement debt and interest accrued till a day of fund transfer; or in the alternative, we pray the Court to direct the Respondents to provide a Bank Guarantee to secure the judgment debt pending the determination of this appeal.”
The Industrial Court had found that MTN Group is the Parent Company and the life wire of both MTNN and MTNI that controls them and thus integral part of the both companies. Also, MTN Nigeria has no power of its own to act under its contractual agreement with Mr. Odunewu except as approved by its Parent Company, MTN Group. In 2017 NICN had ordered that the judgement sums of $13.47 million, ₦2.54 million, and £10 thousand be paid by the second and third defendants (MTNN & MTNI), “except the issue of costs which is to be paid by all the defendants (MTN sic)”. The trial judge had ordered MTN to make the payments within 30 days, failing which the sums would appreciate at 21 percent interest per annum.
Herbal Life Hikers Take On De Wildt Trails in Empower-Active Adventure!
De Wildt, July 19, 2025 – The crisp morning air of De Wildt did little to deter a vibrant group of adventure-seekers who came out in full force for the “#Empower-Active! Let’s Have Some Fun! Let’s Go Hiking” event. Dressed in lime green and black, the enthusiastic hikers turned the trails into a vibrant wave of energy, unity, and wellness.
Organized by wellness coach Busi Jele—popularly known as Aunty BJ—and anchored by Neo Kgosana, the event was hosted under the banner of community wellness and empowerment. Kicking off at 7 a.m., participants set off with smiles, camaraderie, and a shared goal of physical rejuvenation and social connection.
“This is more than a hike,” said Aunty BJ. “It’s a movement to get people active, connected, and recharged—away from the stress of everyday life. We’re thrilled at the turnout and the energy everyone brought today.”
The event drew a diverse mix of nature lovers, fitness enthusiasts, and first-time hikers, all eager to embrace the outdoors. For a registration fee of R250, participants received a hike pack, entry access, and a refreshing post-hike snack—carefully curated to support health and vitality.
As hikers made their way through the picturesque De Wildt trails, laughter echoed through the hills, new friendships were forged, and many paused to soak in the breathtaking views and stillness of nature. The event’s theme colours, lime green and black, symbolized vitality and strength—perfectly capturing the spirit of the day.
With the success of this edition, there are growing calls for the hike to become a regular wellness fixture. For many attendees, today’s hike was not just a physical activity but a therapeutic experience—filled with joy, connection, and empowerment.
Business
Group slams NMDPRA Boss Farouk’s Diversionary Newspapers Ads On $5.5 Million In Children’s Tuition Fees
…charges relevant agencies to open immediate investigation.
The Concerned Citizens Network of Nigeria (CCNN) has slammed Engineer Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), for his full-page newspaper advertisements published on July 11, 2025, as a “disgraceful charade” and “diversionary” designed to dodge accountability.
The group said the ads, appearing on page 12 of Thisday, page 17 of The Guardian, page 15 of Vanguard, page 3 of BusinessDay, and page 19 of Daily Trust, were unsigned and devoid of substance, failing to address explosive allegations that Ahmed spent over $5.5 million (approximately N8.25 billion) on his children’s secondary education abroad.
In a fiery press conference on Monday in Abuja, the CCNN, led by Dr. Emmanuel Agibi, demanded an immediate investigation, accusing Ahmed of insulting Nigerians’ intelligence with his evasive tactics.
The CCNN highlighted that Ahmed’s children—Faisal Farouk attended the Montreux school, Farouk Jr attended the Aiglon college, Ashraf Farouk attended the Institut Le Rosey while Farhana Farouk attended the La Garenne International School for six years each.
With annual tuition and upkeep exceeding $200,000 per school, the total cost for the four children is estimated at $5 million, or roughly $1.2 million per child over six years.
“The cost per child included annual tuition fees of approximately $130,000–$150,000 and an additional $50,000 for upkeep, flights, and other expenses. For each child, this amounts to roughly $180,000–$200,000 annually, or $1,080,000–$1,200,000 over six years,” the statement said.
“For four children, the total expenditure ranges from $4,320,000–$4,800,000. Even now, questions remain unanswered about the tertiary education of Ahmed’s children. Having completed their secondary education, Faisal, Farouk Jr., Ashraf, and Farhana are enrolled in prestigious universities abroad, where annual costs often exceed $70,000–$100,000 per student.
“Further compounding public outrage, Engr. Farouk Ahmed’s son recently graduated from Harvard University, where tuition and associated costs exceeded $152,000, with additional expenses in the range of $100,000. This extravagant expenditure, far beyond the gross earnings of a civil servant of his calibre, places an immense burden on Nigeria’s poor taxpayers, many of whom struggle to afford three meals a day or school uniforms for their children, particularly in the northern regions.
“Notably, Ahmed has never held employment outside his role with the Federal Government since leaving school, raising further questions about the source of his wealth. The opulence displayed in funding such elite education underscores a stark disconnect between Ahmed’s lifestyle and the economic realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.”
The group urged the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate how a civil servant’s salary could fund such lavish expenditure.
“In a nation where over 10 million children, particularly in the north, lack access to basic education, this lavish spending by a public servant is not merely a matter of personal choice—it is a moral outrage,” the statement added.
“While countless Nigerian families struggle to afford primary schooling, Ahmed’s children attended secondary institutions costing more per term than the annual budgets of some federal colleges. This stark inequality represents an injustice that cannot be ignored.
“The absence of transparency regarding how these ongoing expenses are funded further fuels public suspicion. If Ahmed’s wealth can support such elite secondary and tertiary education, the public deserves to know the legitimate sources of these funds, especially given his role as a public servant accountable to Nigerian taxpayers.
“The CCNN’s allegations are grounded in rigorous evidence, stemming from a petition to the Attorney-General of the Federation after weeks of verification, fact-finding, and public record reviews.We question how a public official, whose salary is known and whose assets must be constitutionally declared, could finance such an extraordinary level of overseas education without a visible commercial empire or disclosed inheritance.
“The petition raises serious concerns about potential abuse of office, asset concealment, or diversion of public funds under Ahmed’s leadership at NMDPRA. Public response has been resolute, with peaceful protests by lawyers, students, and civic groups targeting the Attorney-General’s office, ICPC, EFCC, National Assembly, and NMDPRA headquarters. These demonstrations, supported by formal letters and placards, demanded a transparent investigation.
“The NMDPRA’s attempt to dismiss these voices as ‘faceless’ is a cynical effort to undermine lawful civic engagement, further eroding public trust. The NMDPRA’s statement conspicuously avoided addressing key issues: it did not deny the children’s attendance at the listed secondary schools, nor did it provide any breakdown of how tuition was funded.
“It offered no details on asset declarations, loans, business income, family inheritance, or blind trusts, relying instead on vague appeals to Ahmed’s ‘reputation’ and ‘integrity.’ In a democracy, such claims are insufficient when a public servant’s lifestyle appears misaligned with their declared income. The burden of proof rests with Ahmed, not the public.
“The CCB, ICPC, and EFCC have constitutional mandates to investigate cases of unexplained wealth, ensuring that public officials are held accountable. This case tests the credibility of President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption and transparency agenda. The CCNN is not calling for Ahmed’s immediate removal but for an open, independent investigation. If he is innocent, a transparent process will vindicate him.
“However, continued silence risks tarnishing both his reputation and the government’s reform efforts. Ignoring these allegations would be a grave miscalculation. The CCNN is submitting additional letters, pursuing legal action, and mobilising further protests to ensure accountability. Civic vigilance is not a nuisance—it is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy.
“Engr. Farouk Ahmed must step forward, disclose his funding sources, and submit to a full inquiry. This is not persecution—it is the price of public trust. The CCB, ICPC, and EFCC must act swiftly to investigate these allegations, ensuring that justice and transparency prevail.”
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