The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has officially withdrawn the copyright infringement criminal charges filed against MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, its Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola, and company executive Nkeakam Abhulimen. The case was initially instituted by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).
The withdrawal was announced on Wednesday before Justice Umar Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where the matter was scheduled for the AGF’s legal team to present an update on the government’s position regarding the prosecution.
During the court session, the AGF’s representative informed the judge that the federal government had decided to discontinue the case, effectively bringing the long-running legal tussle to an end. The decision to withdraw the charges follows months of review and consultation between the AGF’s office and relevant regulatory bodies.
Earlier reports indicated that the AGF, through its counsel Aderonke Imana (Esq.), had in July 2025 told the court that a decision on the pending charges would be reached by October 2025. The latest development confirms that resolution.
The case, filed by the NCC, alleged that MTN and its executives violated Nigeria’s Copyright Act through unauthorized use of intellectual property. However, with the AGF’s withdrawal, the prosecution has been formally terminated, marking a significant relief for the telecommunications giant.
Legal observers say the move reflects the government’s broader effort to streamline overlapping regulatory actions and prioritize dialogue between corporations and regulators in addressing intellectual property and compliance issues in Nigeria’s digital and telecom sectors.
