In Nigeria, the telecom operators association, ATCON, pleaded for the reduction of the $3.9 billion fine imposed MTN for failing to deactivate unregistered SIM cards. The group which regroups Airtel, Glo, Etisalat, through its president, Lanre Ajayi, demanded that the fine is reduced to an amount not above the firm’s annual profit.

ATCON says it has learnt its lesson from the crisis that MTN has been going through since October 2015. Lanre Ajayi said the telecom firm, leader of the local market in terms of market shares and revenues had its reputation damaged, and lost both market shares and revenues. ATCON’s president said his group decided to plead because it believes that the telecom operator in no way infringed any law with the intent to threaten national security.

Presently, Nigeria’s chamber of representatives is investigating MTN to determine the impact of its the action that brought the fine. In case it emerges that MTN’s action allowed Boko Haram to kill hundred of Nigerians, it could be sued by parliamentary.