5G Spectrum Auction: NCC unaware of Bola Tinubu’s link to Mafab Communications ─Official

*The Nigerian Communications Commission clarifies its auction proceedings conform to international best practice, and they are devoid of any undue influence or interferences whatsoever, and the Commission is set to implement the next phase of 5G deployment for the benefit of all citizens

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said during its routine media review Wednesday, December 15, 2021, the Commission became aware of publications in some online media channels, alleging the involvement of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos State, in Mafab Communications Limited, one of the winners of the 5G spectrum band the Commission sold at a public auction Monday, December 13, 2021, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, FCT.

ConsumerConnect reports that in response to the publications, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, in a statement issued December 15, 2021, in Abuja, FCT, said, “it bears restating that, consistent with the Commission’s long-established regulatory culture and tradition, the process leading to the auction of the 5G spectrum was open, fair and transparent in the most.”

The NCC clarified that the public auction conducted in Abuja followed a rigorous due process and was witnessed by a cross-section of stakeholders as observers, including the media, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), as well as civil society groups.

Mafab Communications Limited was incorporated July 8, 2020, and licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission to provide and operate Local Interconnect and International carrier services in the country.

The company stated on its corporate Web site, that it operates under two licenses, which are Interconnect Exchange and International Data Access.

The NCC statement further said: “Mafab Communications Limited is a corporate entity duly licensed by the Commission to conduct telecommunications business.

“The company, which is in good regulatory standing with the Commission, currently holds international data access (IDA), interconnect data exchange (IDE) and Value-Added Service (VAS) licences.”

The country’s telecoms regulatory Commission also noted “it is pertinent to state that the Information Memorandum (IM) for the auction of the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum clearly set out eligibility criteria for participation of interested bidders in the auction, which included that new companies could participate in the bid.”

The NCC recalled that over the years, the regulator has had spectrum auctions, and as an independent regulatory agency, has maintained “an undisputable reputation of successful auctions, based on openness, fairness and transparency, a fact widely acknowledged locally and internationally.”

According to the Director of Public Affairs, NCC’s auction proceedings conform to international best practice, and they are devoid of any undue influence or interferences whatsoever.

“A higher standard of integrity and openness was emplaced in the 5G auction as the process was, for the first time, witnessed by the public both physically and virtually through a link provided by the Commission on its official Web site,” the NCC stated.

The NCC added that “the Commission would like to assure Nigerians that, following the successful auction of the 5G spectrum, it is prepared to drive the implementation of the next phase of the deployment of the new technology, in line with the Federal Government’s approved plan, for the benefit of all citizens.”