News
Glo, MTN Feud Over Connectivity Pact
Two telecom operators, Globacom Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Limited are currently in a fierce dispute over interconnection agreement entered between them sometime in 2003.
Under clause 6.5 of the agreement, it was said that the two telecom companies agreed that no party shall invoice for a call later than 60 days after the actual call date.
However, Globacom in a suit at a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, alleged that MTN in clear violation of the clause, made a claim of over N1 billion allegedly being unpaid supplementary invoices isused by MTN to Globacom.
According to the suit before Justice Lambo Akanbi, Globacom also listed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and MTN as co-defendants.
NCC was said to have constituted an Arbitiral Panel to look into the dispute, which eventually directed Globacom to pay MTN the sum of N856 million both as supplementary invoices for calls terminated on MTN’s network by Globacom and sum admitted.
The panel had also directed Globacom to pay the sum within 30 days of the ruling, failure of which, sum would accrue interest till liquidation.
But Globacom is urging the court to quash the decision of the Arbitral panel of NCC, insisting that the ruling was a grave miscarriage of justice as the panel failed to make specific findings on fundamental issues in the controversy between the parties.
The company also wants the court to restrain NCC and MTN from enforcing the ruling, adding that the panel made decisions on issues not submitted to it and that fair hearing and the rules of natural justice were jettisoned in the entire proceedings.
Globacom further argued that the panel failed to furnish it with the records of proceedings and that the panel exhibited bias against it in favour of MTN.
However, MTN and NCC have filed separate preliminary objections to the suit, urging the court to strike it out on the ground that the court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter, having been filed in gross abuse of court process.
In the alternative, the defendants urged the court to refer the matter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for onward transmission of the case to Abuja division of the court for hearing determination.
They argued that prior to filing of the suit, MTN had earlier filed suit against Globacom at the Abuja division of the court seeking to enforce the ruling of Arbitral panel constituted by the NCC.
When the matter came up in court on Wednesday, the parties informed the court of the processes filed so far, while Justice Akanbi ruled that it would be neater and better to hear the preliminary objections of MTN and NCC together.
The matter was adjourned till February 3 for hearing.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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