The federal government and its agent, the Nigerian Communications Commission, have been dragged to court for increasing tarrif for services provided by telecom operators by 50 percent.
The increment followed telecom companies’ demand for 100 percent increase in tariff for the services, citing high inflation and increasing operational cost of doing the business.
The hike has been met with with public outrage.
Now, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has sued both federal government and NCC to court.
SERAP in the suit described the hike as “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable.”
It issued a statement on Sunday to intimate the public about its court action.
Entitled, “SERAP wants court to stop Tinubu govt, telcos from implementing 50% telecom tariff hike,” the statement reads in part: “The unilateral decision by the NCC to approve a 50% hike in telecom tariffs is arbitrary, unconstitutional, and unfair.
“This action contravenes both the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 and international human rights standards.
“It also reflects a failure to consult key stakeholders, such as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.”
The statement further reads: “The NCC’s action undermines citizens’ right to seek, receive, and impart information through communication media without discrimination.”
