The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and major telecommunications operators have filed a suit in the Federal High Court in Abuja, naming the House of Representatives, its Speaker, and the Inspector General of Police as defendants. The legal action challenges a legislative investigation into the quality of network services, with the plaintiffs seeking to restrain the House Committee on Communications from taking further steps against them, including threats of arrest.
In an Originating Summons, the plaintiffs are contesting the constitutional basis of the House’s investigation and the recent summons issued to the chief executives of telecommunications companies. They argue that the National Assembly’s investigative powers, derived from Section 88 of the Constitution, do not extend to usurping the regulatory responsibilities of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The operators stress that the NCC is the statutory regulator responsible for overseeing telecommunications service quality and related industry standards and should be allowed to perform its duties without interference.
The dispute originated from a recent hearing of the House Committee on Communications, where ALTON attempted to represent the collective interests of the industry. The committee reportedly declined to recognize the association’s representation, insisting that the summoned companies comply with its directives. Tensions reportedly escalated after ALTON representatives raised legal questions regarding the scope of the National Assembly’s oversight powers.
The operators maintain that addressing network service challenges requires an examination of broader operational difficulties, such as electricity supply and infrastructure constraints. They argue that compelling individual chief executives to appear before the committee, while the NCC retains its regulatory mandate, raises significant constitutional and jurisdictional issues.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to determine whether the House’s actions fall within its constitutional investigative powers and whether the committee can exercise functions that belong to the NCC. They are also seeking perpetual injunctions against the defendants regarding the disputed summons and any proposed enforcement measures. A determination by the court is expected to clarify the boundaries between legislative oversight and the statutory regulatory responsibilities of the NCC, although the claims and arguments presented remain the positions of the plaintiffs and have not yet been established as findings of the court.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
