𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟱𝟬% 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗛𝗶𝗸𝗲, 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗡𝗖𝗖’𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟱𝟬% 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗛𝗶𝗸𝗲, 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗡𝗖𝗖’𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 (Abuja, April 24, 2026): A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a lawsuit challenging the 50 percent telecommunications tariff adjustment approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in January 2025, effectively upholding the hike for MTN Nigeria and other operators in the sector. In its judgment, Honourable Justice M. G. Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, dismissed the suit filed by Obioma Ezenwobodo against the NCC and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc (FHC/ABJ/CS/643/2025), ruling that the applicant lacked the legal right (locus standi) to bring the action.

The Court held that the Plaintiff failed to demonstrate any special interest in the subject matter beyond that of the general public. Consequently, the Court struck out the matter for want of jurisdiction and directed that all parties bear their respective costs. The applicant, through his counsel, Joseph Onu Silas, had sought an order prohibiting and setting aside the NCC’s 50 percent tariff hike, an order mandating MTN and NCC to reimburse all additional charges collected with interest, and N100 million in general damages for alleged hardship and economic deprivation. MTN Nigeria, represented by KENNA LP with Divine Oguru Esq. as Senior Counsel, successfully challenged the Court’s jurisdiction via a Motion on Notice dated November 24, 2025. The Court upheld MTN’s arguments and threw out the suit.

The ruling provides legal clarity for telecom operators, affirming that the NCC’s tariff adjustment remains valid and enforceable unless successfully challenged by a party with proper standing.