The House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission, to suspend all transactions towards the sale of Nigeria’s fourth largest telecommunications company, 9Mobile , over allegations of fraud in the bidding process.
The Committee also summoned the Central Bank Governor, and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission over the alleged discrepancies.?
Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, during an investigative hearing on the sale, says the CBN and NCC could not claim inadequate knowledge of the transaction.
He demanded that the duo of Emefiele and Dambatta should appear in person before the Committee.
The committee also demanded a comprehensive list of directors at Teleology Holdings as well a representative of the company to appear before the committee.
NCC through it’s representative, observed that the second bidder in the process, Smile Telecoms Holdings, was not considered because of its indebtedness in the industry.
But in a swift response, Smile Telecoms said it did everything necessary and required in the bidding process.
Chairman of the committee,observed that there were irregularities in the process which led to choice of the preferred bidder.
The committee warned that it would reverse the entire process, if a fundamental breach is established.
