ALTON Challenges House Committee's Authority Over Telecoms

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and telecommunications companies filed a suit on November 4, 2026, contesting the constitutional authority of the House Committee on Communications to investigate their operations. This legal action followed a committee hearing in Abuja where ALTON's representation was rejected by the committee, chaired by Hon. Sunday Uneha, who deemed their appearance an "insult on the integrity of the Committee." The situation escalated when ALTON officials reminded the committee of an ongoing court challenge regarding the National Assembly's oversight powers.

Hon. Uneha dismissed their concerns and directed security personnel to detain ALTON representatives. The suit challenges summonses issued on October 29, compelling the companies' chief executives to appear before the committee, arguing that the National Assembly's investigative powers are limited to lawmaking and public funds, not private commercial operations.

ALTON asserts that the Nigerian Communications Commission is the proper regulator for service quality oversight.