The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of Mr. Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, and three others, until 30 October.

Toriola, along with MTN Nigeria, Tobechukwu Okigbo (Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer), and Ikenna Ikeme (General Manager, Regulatory Affairs), is facing a two-count charge filed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

They are accused of failing to produce documents and information required by the commission, in defiance of a lawful summons issued on 17 May 2024. The compliance deadline was later extended via a letter dated 5 June 2024.

The prosecution alleges that their failure constitutes an offence under Section 33(3) of the FCCPC Act, 2018, punishable under Section 111(2).

At Thursday’s sitting, the trial judge, Justice Hauwa Yilwa, was absent due to an official workshop. The matter was rescheduled for 30 October for the defendants to take their plea.

Earlier, FCCPC lawyer Nsitem Chizenum had accused the defendants of evading service of court documents. The commission had enlisted the Nigeria Police Force to compel their appearance.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/354/2024, was filed on 22 July 2024 by a legal team led by Akoji Achimugu.