Foundation sues TikTok over restrictions in Kano, others
The Foundation for Digital Justice and Sustainable Development has filed a case at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged restrictions imposed by TikTok on users in parts of Northern Nigeria. In the suit sigheted by Daily Trust, the organisation alleged that TikTok had restricted or geoblocked users in Kaduna, Kebbi, Kano and Sokoto […]
The Foundation for Digital Justice and Sustainable Development has taken TikTok to court over alleged restrictions on users in Northern Nigeria. The organization claims TikTok has geoblocked access from Kaduna, Kebbi, Kano, and Sokoto states. Their legal team, led by Festus Ogun, seeks to determine if these restrictions violate the Nigerian Constitution's guarantee of free expression and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights against discrimination.
The suit, filed on October 5, 2026, invokes Sections 39, 42, 45, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, and the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009. The foundation argues TikTok cannot discriminate by blocking users in certain states while allowing others unrestricted access. They request the court to declare the restriction "wrongful, unconstitutional, and arbitrary," demanding TikTok remove the block and refrain from further discriminatory actions.
The group also seeks a public apology from TikTok in three national newspapers. The case challenges whether the geoblocking violates Section 39 and Article 9 of the African Charter, as well as Section 42 and Article 2 of the African Charter. The suit was filed at the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, naming TikTok Inc as the respondent.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Trust's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
