(Ecofin Agency) - According to Financial Times, mobile operator MTN Nigeria has hired US ex-attorney-general Eric Holder to help solve its dispute with Nigerian authorities regarding $3.9 billion fine imposed by Nigeria Communications Commission ((NCC).

Currently at the Washington-based corporate law firm Covington and Burling, Eric Holder US former attorney-general appointed by Barack Obama in 2009. He left the position last April and returned to Covington and Burling.

MTN Nigeria relies on Eric Holder’s experience as an attorney-general to help find a solution to the crisis it has been going through since last year. The subsidiary of the South African telecom giant and Nigeria’s telecom regulator have until March 18, 2016, to reach an amicable settlement. Beyond this deadline set by the Lagos High Court, this court will take things in hands and determine the responsibilities of each party.

During a press conference held on January 26, 2016, Minister of communication, Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, said no amicable settlement would be reached if MTN Nigeria kept the legal action ongoing.