The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project ,SERAP, has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Communications Commission ,NCC, over the recent hike in telecom service tariff.
SERAP argues that the increase is “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable,” and seeks to have it reversed in court.
The NCC recently approved the tariff hike, which raised the cost of a one-minute call from N11 to N16.5, the price of 1GB of data from N287.5 to N431.25, and SMS charges from N4 to N6.
This increase has triggered widespread backlash, with SERAP leading the legal challenge against the decision.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025), argues that the tariff hike infringes upon citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and access to information, as well as Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
In a statement issued on Sunday, titled “SERAP wants court to stop Tinubu govt, telcos from implementing 50% telecom tariff hike,” the organization outlined its opposition.
SERAP asserts that the NCC’s decision is arbitrary and unconstitutional, contravening both the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 and international human rights standards.
As stated by SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, the hike reflects a failure to consult critical stakeholders such as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
“The decision disregards the principle of legality, fairness, and reasonableness that must govern the exercise of statutory powers,” Adegboruwa said.
The lawsuit also highlights that the hike undermines the public’s right to communicate freely and access information without discrimination.
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“The NCC’s actions violate citizens’ fundamental rights to seek, receive, and impart information via telecommunication media,” the suit reads.
The tariff increase comes amid Nigeria’s deepening economic crisis.
A recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics disclosed that 133 million Nigerians are multidimensionally poor, with over half of the population still relying on wood, dung, or charcoal for cooking.
SERAP pointed out that this tariff hike exacerbates the existing economic strain, especially as Nigerians face rising living costs due to fuel subsidy removal, increased electricity tariffs, and skyrocketing food prices.
In its legal action, SERAP is seeking a court declaration that the tariff hike violates Nigeria’s constitutional provisions and international human rights treaties.
The organization also seeks an injunction to halt the implementation of the hike and to have the NCC’s decision nullified, describing the move as “extortive, unreasonable, and a breach of due process.”
SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, emphasized the broader consequences of the hike, stating that “Access to communication is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right.”
The statement further stresses that the government and NCC have an obligation to ensure telecommunication services remain affordable, particularly for millions of Nigerians living in poverty.
Although no date has been set for the hearing, the case could have significant implications for the regulation of telecom services in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, subscriber groups have issued an ultimatum to the NCC, demanding that the tariff increase be rolled back to 10% by Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
Crediblenewsng.com
