Attorney General of Nigeria has withdrawn a $2 billion tax demand against MTN Nigeria and referred the matter to Tax Authorities.

MTN on 4 September 2018 announced that MTN Nigeria Communications was disputing a claim for back taxes of approximately $2 billion by the Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Minister of Justice (the AGF).

MTN Nigeria commenced legal action in Nigeria against the AGF, which court action was most recently postponed to 30 January 2020.

The AGF, following careful review and due consultation with relevant statutory agencies, has decided to refer the tax matter to the relevant authorities — Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigeria Customs (NC) — to resolve the issues.

MTN Nigeria will consequently follow due court process to withdraw its legal action against the AGF and engage with FIRS and NC on this issue.

MTN Group CEO Rob Shuter said: “We appreciate this decision of the Attorney General which paves the way to an orderly and amicable resolution of this matter.”