Nigerian Court Awards Consumer Damages Against MTN Nigeria for Airtime Deductions

A Nigerian consumer, Ezugw Emmanuel Anen, took legal action against MTN Nigeria Communications PLC for unauthorized deductions of airtime, leading to emotional distress and inconvenience. Despite initial promises to stop the deductions, they continued, prompting a court case in Abuja.

The trial court awarded Anen five million naira in general damages and five hundred thousand naira in costs. An appeal reduced the damages to four hundred thousand naira and one hundred thousand naira in costs.

Anen plans to further appeal to the Supreme Court for a final determination on the issue.