Business
SERAP Takes Legal Action Against FG Over 50% Telecom Tariff Hike
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) on what it termed “the arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable 50 percent telecom tariff hike by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).”
Biztellers reports that the NCC was joined in the suit as Defendant.
Recall that the NCC recently approved a 50 percent hike in telecom tariffs, which by implication would see the average price of calls will rise to N16.5 per minute from N11; the cost of 1GB of data to N431.25 from N287.5/GB; and SMS rates to N6 from N4.
ALSO READ: Super Eagles Await Group Stage Fate As AFCON Draw Holds In Morocco
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the SERAP is asking the court to determine “whether the unilateral decision by the NCC to authorise telcos to hike telecom tariffs by 50 percent is not arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, unreasonable and inconsistent with citizens’ freedom of expression and access to information.”
In addition, the SERAP is asking the court for “a declaration that the unilateral decision by the NCC to authorise telcos to hike telecom tariff by 50 percent is arbitrary, unfair, unreasonable and inconsistent and incompatible with citizens’ freedom of expression and access to information, and therefore unconstitutional and unlawful.”
The SERAP is also seeking “an order of interim injunction restraining the NCC, its officers, agents, privies, assigns, or any other person or persons acting on its instructions from further implementing, enforcing and doing any act to give effect to the decision of the NCC authorizing telecom tariff hike by 50 percent.”
In the suit, the SERAP is arguing that: “The legal and constitutional provisions as well as international standards on freedom of expression and access to information constitute the repository of legality. The requirements of legality constrain the exercise of statutory powers by the NCC to authorise any increase in telecom tariffs.”
The suit filed on behalf of the SERAP by its lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, read in part: “The demands of legality impose clear duties of fairness and reasonableness on the NCC in the exercise of its powers to authorize the telecom tariff hike by 50 percent, which is the subject-matter of this suit.
“The NCC is required under the legal provisions on consumers’ rights and constitutional and international standards on freedom of expression and access to information to base its decision on reasonable interpretations of its enabling statutes and guidelines and other relevant legal frameworks, and to follow due process.
“The exercise of the statutory powers of the NCC in approving the telecom tariff hike is a grave violation of the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.
“These legal and constitutional provisions and international human rights standards recognize that every individual has the right to an equal opportunity to receive, seek and impart information through any communication medium without discrimination.
“The constitutional and democratic anomalies complained of by SERAP is more apparent when the said unilateral decision of the NCC approving a 50 percent increase in telecommunication tariffs is juxtaposed with the apparent procedural breaches of the condition-precedent for any approval of increase.
“The NCC is the statutory agency charged with the responsibility of promoting and implementing the national communications or telecommunications policy in Nigeria.
“The latest patently unconstitutional and unlawful increase in telecommunication tariffs is coming on the heels of a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which shows that some 133 million Nigerians are poor.
“The NBS report also shows that over half of the population of Nigeria are multi-dimensionally poor and cook with dung, wood or charcoal, rather than cleaner energy.
“The increase in telecommunication tariffs is a fundamental breach of due process of law, as the purported approval by the NCC failed to meet the high threshold of consultation with key stakeholders, especially the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, which is the primary consumer protection agency in Nigeria.
“The increase in telecommunication tariffs is coming at a time when Nigerians are deeply burdened by the cost of living crisis. The cost of living crisis has resulted in low quality of life, unemployment and deaths, as many socially and economically vulnerable people scramble for free food in public and religious gatherings.
“The present-day economic realities in Nigeria include chronic poverty amongst a high percentage of citizens and the growing inability of several state governments to pay salary and pensions of workers, especially as the country still suffers from the removal of fuel subsidy, electricity tariff hike and inflated cost of food in the market.”
The SERAP is therefore asking the court for the following reliefs:
A DECLARATION that the unilateral decision of the NCC approving the increase of telecommunications tariff by 50 percent is arbitrary, unfair, unreasonable, and a deliberate attempt to stifle the constitutional and international human rights of citizens to freely express themselves and share information, and breach of sections 104 and 127 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 [as amended] and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.
AN ORDER setting aside the unilateral decision of the NCC approving the increase of telecommunications tariff by 50 percent contained in a press statement published by the NCC on 20th January 2025 for being arbitrary, unfair, extortive, unreasonable, unconstitutional and a breach of the provisions of Sections 104 and 127 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 [as amended], Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.
AN ORDER restraining the NCC, its agents, assigns, privies and or representatives or such other persons acting on its behalf, and all telecommunication companies in Nigeria from implementing and/or enforcing the unilateral decision of the NCC approving the increase of telecommunications tariff by 50 percent as contained in a press statement published by the NCC on 20th January 2025.
AND FOR SUCH FURTHER ORDER(S) that the Honorable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance of this suit.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the interim application and the substantive suit.
Over one million Nigerians nationwide will receive a 10kg bag of rice each, with the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) distributing the staple food as part of the 2025 Annual National Food Intervention Project.
The initiative, which commenced on Thursday would is estimated at a whooping cost of N16 billion.
During the flag-off of the nationwide distribution in Kano, Chairman of the Foundation, Alh Aliko Dangote, said the distribution of one million bags of 10kg rice to the poor and vulnerable Nigerians in the 774 Local Government Areas (LGA) in Nigeria was in line with the core values of his businesses and the ADF.
Dangote, who was represented by his daughter, Mariam Aliko Dangote said, “This annual initiative, which embodies compassion, solidarity, and shared responsibility, is part of our response to the current economic challenges facing our nation. It reflects our commitment to supporting our communities in line with our core values.”
ALSO READ: BREAKING: Rivers Chief Judge Under Probe For Alleged Age Falsification
He highlighted that the Foundation was kicking off the distribution in Kano State, after which it will proceed to other states, assuring that all arrangements are in place to ensure the food reaches those who need it most in all the LGAs of Nigeria.
Dangote, reputed to be Africa’s wealthiest person opined that food remains a basic human necessity, and this is why the ADF adopted the practice of embarking on a food distribution programme across Nigeria.
“We are collaborating with state governments to ensure that the food reaches the most vulnerable individuals in each state,” he added.
According to Dangote the ADF focuses on improving the living conditions of Nigerians through support for projects which tackle hunger and water supply problems, strengthen the quality and scope of health and education, and promote economic empowerment at the community level.
“Your excellency, I believe that today’s event will help in tackling hunger and helping the most vulnerable people in breaking their fast. We are playing our role in enhancing the living conditions of our people. I urge other industrialists and firms to lend a helping hand in combating hunger through programmes and initiatives that will place food on the tables of vulnerable Nigerians. This job should not be left to the government alone, rather we need a public private partnership that will help us in fighting the scourge.
“I commend the government at all levels for their efforts at addressing the food crisis. I am certain that with time, we shall overcome these challenges, therefore let us support the government to achieve its target of a better life for Nigerians, “he said.
On his part, Kano State Governor, Abba K. Yusuf, who flagged off the National Food Intervention Programme commended the good gesture and said the intervention reflects the unwavering commitment of Alh Dangote in addressing poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gworzo said 120,000 bags of 10kg rice will be distributed across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.
He described Alh Dangote as humane, adding that: “A similar event took place last year where he personally oversaw the distribution of food stuff to the poor in this very arena.”
To ensure transparency in the distribution process, he said the state government has set up a committee comprising of relevant ministries, CSOs, religious leaders, departments and agencies, local authorities, the Hisbah Board and security agencies.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, said the Annual National Food Intervention Project is a way of giving back, and supporting governments in fighting poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
She said that Alh Dangote is passionate about philanthropy and committed to ensuring that hunger is wiped out or reduced to the minimum in Nigeria.
“We are going to other states to distribute the products, but we’ve just flagged off in Kano,” she told newsmen on the sideline of the Kano Government House, venue of the flag off.
The Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah Board in Kano, Dr. Mujahid Aminudeen, thanked the ADF for the initiative, urging more Nigerians to emulate Alh Dangote in the humanitarian cause.
He said the Hisbah Board will ensure that the products reach the targeted beneficiaries.
One of the beneficiaries, Ibrahim Ahmed, speaking on behalf of others thanked Alh Dangote for his large heart saying the gift would go a long way in reducing food pressures on them especially during the Ramadan while also praying God to continue to help him in his businesses.
Recall that the ADF has been at the forefront of tackling and ameliorating the impact of natural disasters and health challenges in Nigeria and the rest of the world.
The ADF donated N153million to boost Nigeria’s fight against Ebola Virus Disease in 2014, $3million to the African Union (AU) to help combat the scourge, and N66.66 million to install thermal scanning systems and cameras at Nigeria’s 4 international airports.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we donated N2billion to the CACOVID Fund, a Private Sector task force in partnership with the Federal Government, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) with the sole aim of combating Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria.
In support for education, we donated a N1.2bn modern business school edifice to the Bayero University, Kano, a fully equipped 2,160-bed capacity hostel complex to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a N300 million building to University of Ibadan Business School.
Beyond the shores of Nigeria, the ADF has also recorded milestones with a donation of $1million, to lift victims of two earthquakes that devastated Nepal.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is under pressure to suspend its recently introduced increase in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction charges due to the country’s worsening economic conditions.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Marcus Onobun, a lawmaker representing Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency in Edo State, raised concerns over the policy through a motion of urgent public importance.
He noted that the CBN’s directive not only increases withdrawal fees but also removes free ATM transactions for customers using other banks’ machines, adding to the financial strain on Nigerians.
SEE ALSO: Direct CBN To Suspend ATM Fee Hike Pending Court Verdict, SERAP Tells Tinubu
According to the new regulations, customers withdrawing from their own bank’s ATMs will still enjoy free withdrawals.
However, those using other banks’ ATMs will now be charged N100 for withdrawals of N20,000 within a bank’s premises. At off-site ATMs, such as those in shopping malls or markets, the charge remains N100, but with an added N500 surcharge.
Onobun, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), argued that Nigerians are already struggling with economic difficulties, including high inflation, rising fuel costs, increased electricity tariffs, and multiple banking fees.
He warned that the additional charges could further discourage financial inclusion, particularly among low-income earners, contradicting the CBN’s own agenda.
“The banking sector continues to record significant profits, yet customers are being burdened with more charges without any improvement in service delivery or infrastructure. This is unfair and unacceptable,” he stated.
Following his motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the matter to a voice vote, and lawmakers overwhelmingly supported it.
As a result, the House of Representatives called on the CBN to immediately halt the implementation of the policy until further consultations are held with relevant banking and finance committees.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) is already emplacing an new naira for crude contract with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, because the initial contract was for six months which expired in March 2025.
This clarification was made in a statement in Abuja by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye on Monday.
ALSO READ: Naira-For-Crude Policy Still-In-Force – Chairman, Technical Sub-Committee
According to Soneye, the NNPC Limited has noted recent reports circulating on social media regarding the alleged unilateral termination of the crude oil sales agreement in Naira between NNPC Ltd. and Dangote Refinery.
To clarify, the contract for the sale of crude oil in Naira was structured as a six-month agreement, subject to availability, and expires at the end of March 2025. Discussions are currently ongoing towards emplacing a new contract.
Under this arrangement, NNPC Ltd. has made over 48 million barrels of crude oil available to Dangote Refinery since October 2024. In aggregate, NNPC Ltd. has made over 84 million barrels of crude oil available to the Refinery since its commencement of operations in 2023.
NNPC Limited remains committed to supplying crude oil for local refining based on mutually agreed terms and conditions.
Task Force Operatives Storm Kidnappers’ Hideouts In Edo Central
Woman Jumps Into Lagos Lagoon, Recovered Dead
Reps Approve Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills, Senate To Follow
Economic Reforms Aim To Protect Nigeria’s Future – Tinubu
ADF Flags Off N16Bn 2025 National Food Intervention Programme
