@K-Station
I don't know Salako too, neither am I supporting the EFCC either. The article suggested that Salako and Mobitel are innocent and are being unfairly targeted by the EFCC, that might well be the case. However, I just don't understand how a corporate entity, after properly securing a N242 million discount with an agency of the federal government (if that is the truth), supposedly backed by a legal document, be quick to start refunding the money after a few hours of interogation??? Your argument that, "They obviously know how frustrating it is to follow the legal process through to conclusion" doesn't cut it for me because, they didn't at least try to go to court to defend their contract with the NCC! Why did Mobitel bother to have the agreement in writing (deemed a contract) if it means nothing to them at the end of the day?
I also know the Nigerian system very well and almost in all cases, these deals are never done in good faith. The fact that Mobitel is not fighting for its own contract makes it look like they have something to hide. If it turns out that anyone at the NCC was paid to facilitate this deal, that would be deemed an economic crime. We are talking about N242 million public funds here, money that may well belong to millions of Nigerians. If we set aside our prejudice of government and government agencies, it could very well be that the EFCC and Akunyili are on the side of the public on this one.
I have nothing against Mobitel, in fact I wish them nothing but success. But we have to remember Mobitel is not a public charity, they are out to make money primarily for their executives and shareholders. If someone is giving a private company a N242 million discount , it should at least be done fairly and transparently, nobody should be cheating the system to get ahead.
I however agree that the EFCC needs to properly prosecute anyone either at Mobitel or at the NCC found wanting and not just request that the money be paid back.
K-Station,
I am interested in a very good question you asked in your post (highlighted above).
First, as you said, "you know the Nigerian system" where one is "assumed guilty" except the accuse can prove his innocence, against all known legal and "common-sense" procedures!
Picture it; Two gentle men, under the ferocious EFCC, clamped into detention and under interrogation (whatever that entails, lets hope "water-boarding is not included
)....with the posibility of "freedom, if they agree to repay the "amount" or the possibility to rot in detention, if they dont (remember they (Mobitel guys) are the ones that took EFCC to court and not vice-versa)!
If you were them, what will you have done?
Only "in freedom" can you challenge your "(supposedly) traducers, especially when they hold "official authority" after-all, this is the same Nigeria where people spend 17 years in Prison...awaiting trial!
That the EFCC is "
Ignorant of how" the waiver was secured, does not constitute a criminal offense, it only emphasis the "Ignorance of EFCC" as a financial watchdog. ASK, SEEK....and you shall know!
But even when NCC "told then" HOW, in their headlong pursuit of muscle-flexing and abuse of power, they still would not believe.....
even when they have no-proof to the contrary!
There is another article on this subject that "asked a lot of questions" that needs answers!
http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/...-point-ag.html
You may be able to see things from a different light by going through it.
Also, let us assume for a second that, as you're "wondering", this "waiver/discount" was got through
foul means.
Who is the "
primary guilty party"? NCC that gave the waiver OR Mobitel that got the waiver (Primary underlined!)
How many people have been "arrested and interrogated" over this matter, at NCC? None!
Once again, If an NCC that gave the waiver, is still "bold enough" to write a letter, jointly signed by them and Mobitel, to EFCC's chairperson, stating that....
".Meanwhile Mobile week, gathered that the NCC had submitted to the Mrs Farida Waziri_led agency, that after due reconciliation of Mobitel case files it was apparent that the company (Mobitel) had been over_billed and had already over paid its debts." Vanguard Newspapers.
..and that the waiver/discount is in order.
who has "knowledge, authority and constitutional empowerment", over Telecoms license fees, collection of such fees and its waiver for clients? Is it EFCC or NCC? Whose word would a court of law (not some arbitrary detention and investigation) believe?
Now, in line with these arguments, would EFCC come and arrest me since PHC (our dear old NEPA
) have given me "waiver/discount" a couple of times, for "Over-Billing or outright wrong Billing".....afterall, PHC is also a public company enjoying tax-payers money!
Do public Agencies/Companies that render service which "clients" pay for, not have the right to "RECONCILE their accounts" periodically and "credit" customers, wherever and whenever a mistake is recognized on their part? Dont banks credit their customers when they charge and the customers "disagree", correctly, with such charges?
Why is the "credit' to Mobitel drawing such attention, even when NCC continues to affirm its legality? Is it just because it was "fired" by Madam Re-Brandy
Wonders shall never end!
Please, let us be fair and just, in all our commentaries, who knows,
"WE" might just be "next", one way or the other.
In summary, l do not support "connivance" of any kind but the burden of proof, is on the "accuser", who must prove his case beyond doubt, FIRST, in a court of LAW....before making the "accused" to suffer any kind of loss.
Wimax deployment by Mobitel would definitely "shake" the Nigerian internet "service and subscription" space.....
and we all know
NOTHING FIGHTS BACK, LIKE EVIL AND CORRUPTION
10Kobo
Minister For Information, Efcc, Mobitel And My 12-Point Agenda! 
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