Poor network: Reps eject ALTON officials from hearing, threaten sanctions

The House of Representatives in Nigeria recently expelled representatives of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria from a hearing on network quality issues. The lawmakers threatened further sanctions against telecommunications company executives who failed to appear for legislative summonses. At the meeting in Abuja, representatives of MTN, Globacom, Airtel and T2 Mobile were present, claiming to represent the association and its member companies.

However, the committee rejected their appearance, stating that the invitation was issued to the individual companies, not the association. The committee's chairman, Olumide Osoba, questioned whether the operators had obtained a court order to prevent the committee from proceeding with its investigation. The lawmakers accused ALTON, the association, of disregarding an earlier directive that the association was not invited to the proceedings.

The committee proceeded with a brief session involving officials from the Nigerian Communications Commission, who remained after the ALTON representatives were asked to leave.