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On Monday, a human rights Activists, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, filed a lawsuit before the Federal High Court in Lagos against telecommunication companies regarding the recent barring of phone lines.
The suit includes the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Mada, and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc as respondents. Airtel Networks Nigeria Ltd, Globacom Ltd, and Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd. (EMTS 9 Mobile) are also named as other respondents.
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In his affidavit, Ogungbeje stated that in January, the respondents had threatened to bar or deactivate the mobile lines of Nigerians not linked with their National Identification Number (NIN).
He mentioned obtaining a court order on Feb. 22, restraining the respondents from taking such actions. Despite this court order, he discovered that his mobile lines, along with many Nigerians’, were barred on February 28.
Ogungbeje seeks a declaration that the respondents’ act of barring and deactivating the lines of Nigerians from February 28 till date, despite a subsisting court order, is wrongful and illegal.
He also wants a declaration that the respondents, being creations of law, are subject to the court’s judicial powers and obligated to obey them.
The applicant requests an order setting aside the directives restricting the phone lines of Nigerians and directing the respondents to immediately unlock and unrestrict the affected Nigerians’ phone lines.
Claiming N10 billion in exemplary damages against the telecom companies for their unlawful restrictions, Ogungbeje also seeks a perpetual injunction restraining the responders from taking further steps against affected citizens in relation to the case. As of now, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the new suit.
