Telcos sue Reps over poor network service probe

Telecommunications companies in Nigeria have filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to prevent the House of Representatives from interfering with the Nigerian Communications Commission's (NCC) regulatory powers in investigating service quality. The operators, including MTN, Airtel, and Globacom, argue that the House's ad hoc committee on quality of service lacks constitutional authority to investigate matters related to telecommunications service quality, as these fall under the NCC's statutory responsibilities.

The suit, filed on November 4 and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2713/2026, challenges summonses issued by the House on October 29, which directed the companies to appear and produce relevant documents. The operators contend that Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution limit the House's investigative powers to specific purposes, such as assisting in law-making, exposing corruption, inefficiency, or waste, and examining public fund administration.

They also rely on Sections 4, 70, and 105 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and the Nigerian Communications (Quality of Service) Regulations, 2024, which grant the NCC the responsibility for setting, monitoring, and enforcing service quality standards in the telecommunications industry. The companies argue that allowing the House to proceed with the investigation could interfere with the NCC's regulatory functions and potentially impact two pending court cases related to telecommunications service quality.

The plaintiffs seek various reliefs, including nullifying the summonses, restraining lawmakers from enforcing them, and preventing the House from conducting investigations outside the constitutional scope. The court is expected to determine whether the House's proposed investigation falls within its constitutionally defined powers.