Telecom Operators Challenge House of Reps Over Probe

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), along with MTN Nigeria, Airtel Networks, Globacom, and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (operators of 9mobile), have initiated legal action against the House of Representatives at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Filed on November 4, 2026, the suit seeks to invalidate the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Telecommunications Quality of Service’s investigation into poor telecommunications services.

The plaintiffs argue that the investigation exceeds the constitutional powers of the legislature, specifically citing Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution, which they claim does not grant unlimited investigative authority over private businesses. They contend that telecommunications regulation falls under the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as per the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

The lawsuit includes the Speaker of the House, the Clerk of the House, and the Inspector-General of Police as defendants. This legal action follows a confrontation at the National Assembly where ALTON representatives were ordered out of a committee meeting.