Nigeria’s major telecommunications operators have instituted a suit against the House of Representatives, seeking judicial clarification on the extent of the legislature’s investigative powers over privately operated telecommunications companies.
The action was filed on November 4, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Abuja by ALTON, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Airtel Networks Limited, Globacom Limited and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited, operators of 9mobile.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2713/2026, names the House of Representatives, its Speaker, the Clerk of the House and the Inspector-General of Police as defendants.
The dispute follows summonses issued on October 29 by the House Ad Hoc Committee on Telecommunications Quality of Service, directing the chief executives of the affected companies to appear and provide information concerning persistent complaints about poor network services.
The lawmakers had threatened to issue arrest warrants against executives who failed to honour the invitations.
OPERATORS QUESTION CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY
The telecommunications companies are asking the court to determine whether Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution empower the National Assembly to investigate the quality of services provided by private telecommunications operators.
They argue that the Constitution limits legislative investigations to specified purposes, including assisting in lawmaking, exposing corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution of laws, and examining the administration of public funds appropriated by the legislature.
The plaintiffs maintain that telecommunications service quality falls principally within the statutory regulatory responsibilities of the Nigerian Communications Commission under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and the Nigerian Communications (Quality of Service) Regulations, 2024.
They are also challenging the use of arrest warrants and other coercive measures to compel their chief executives to appear before the committee.
COURT ASKED TO SET ASIDE SUMMONSES
Among the reliefs sought, the companies are asking the court to invalidate the disputed summonses and restrain the House and its officers from enforcing them.
They are further seeking an order preventing the Inspector-General of Police from executing any arrest warrants issued against the affected executives in connection with the committee’s investigation.
The operators also contend that the proposed investigation could interfere with two existing court proceedings concerning telecommunications service quality.
The case presents an important constitutional question: where does legislative oversight end and the statutory authority of an independent sector regulator begin?
No determination has yet been made on the merits of the suit.
LegalLinkz will follow the proceedings as the court considers the competing claims over legislative oversight and telecommunications regulation.Related reports
behind Games Village, Abuja
5A, CGH, Games Village, Abuja