The Nigerian court has postponed the $2 billion tax dispute between South African telecoms company MTN Group and Nigeria’s attorney general.
Reuters reported today that a Nigerian judge adjourned the case until Oct. 29.
The attorney general has demanded MTN pay the $2 billion in September. The company has said the tax demand is without merit and the attorney general has exceeded his powers in making the request.
Lawyers for the government requested the adjournment.
Late December 2018, MTN reached an agreement with Nigeria’s central bank when the $8.1 billion claim was reduced to $53 million.
The South African-based telco maintains that its tax affairs are up to date and has not made any provision for extra taxes.
Meanwhile, last month MTN made history as the first mobile telephone company to trade on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
MTN is now the second biggest Nigerian company listed on the NSE. Dangote Cement Plc owned by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, remains the biggest company listed in the Lagos House.
More than 60 million mobile phone users were registered under the company as of 2018.
