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SIM-NIN: NCC Defends Blocking Of Phone Lines, Lawyer Slams N10bn Suit

Published

3 months ago

March 5, 2024

Editor

A Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, on Monday filed a N10bn suit before the Federal High Court in Lagos against the Nigerian Communications Commission, its Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Communication Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, for alleged inconvenience, discomfort, injury and loss of business opportunities by Nigerians due to the blocking of their lines not linked to National Identification Number.

In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/363/2024, Ogungbeje asked for an order compelling the respondents to jointly tender a public apology to the applicant and other affected Nigerian citizens.

Other respondents in the suit are MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Airtel Networks Nigeria, Globacom Limited, and Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd(9Mobile).

The court had on February 22, 2024, granted an order restraining the respondents from barring, deactivating and or restricting any phone lines/SIMs of the applicant and other Nigerians.

However, the NCC directed the telecommunications providers to bar telephone subscribers not linked to NIN on or before February 28, 2024.

NCC who said it was not part of the suit filed by the applicant insisted that the February 28 deadline given to telecom operators to bar subscribers who failed to link their SIMs to NIN, stands.

Ogungbeje is asking for a declaration that the action of barring, restricting and deactivating of his phone lines/SIMs and that of Nigerians by MTN, Airtel, Globacom and 9Mobile upon the directive of NCC and Maida from February 28, till date despite a valid and subsisting order of court granted against the respondents is wrongful, illegal, unlawful, undemocratic, unconstitutional and prejudicial against his and other affected citizens fundamental rights to fair hearing.

He seeks “An order setting aside the entire directive and all its consequential effects in connection with the subject matter of this suit by the first, and second Respondents to the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth respondents having been made in gross violation of a valid and subsisting order of Court granted against the Respondents.

“An order compelling the respondents to jointly and severally to immediately activate, debar, unblock and unrestrict the applicant’s phone lines/SIMs and that of the affected Nigerian citizens forthwith.

“An order compelling the respondents to jointly and severally tender a public apology to the applicant and other affected Nigerian citizens and to pay the sum of N10bn as general and exemplary damages for the prejudicial, wrongful and unconstitutional action of the respondents and the inconvenience, damages and injury caused the Applicant and other affected Nigerian citizens in flagrant violation of a valid and subsisting order of Court.”

In an affidavit in support of the originating motion, Ogungbeje said, “To my utmost shock, on February 28, 2024, I woke up only to discover that my phone lines have been barred, deactivated and restricted by the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth respondents based on the mere directive of first and second Respondents despite a subsisting order of court.

“That act and action of the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth respondents in barring, deactivating and restricting my phone lines and that of Nigerian citizens upon a mere directive by the first respondent without any order of the court and despite a valid and subsisting court order have caused me great loss of business opportunities, embarrassment, untold hardship, discomfort and inconvenience and hampered my business as a legal practitioner and a businessman,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, Reuben Mouka, reacting said the commission has not been served but will ensure proper representation to defend its directive and actions.

Speaking in an interview, he said, “The commission has not received any notice on the new suit yet. In the previous one filed, we were not mentioned as respondents maybe that is why he is initiating another process which will go its normal course. If 10 people go to court today because they are barred, we have no choice but to follow them to court. If we are called to court, we will go there and defend ourselves and our actions.

“The National Identity Management Commission policy of SIM linkage is a policy of the federal government and it is a security issue and the operators are legally bound by this directive because it pertains to national security. They are also law-abiding organisations too.”

News

JUST IN: Tinubu Appoints Spokesperson, Ngelale, As Special Envoy On Climate Action

Published

56 mins ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has appointed his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, as Nigeria’s Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action.

This was as he established a 25-person committee to oversee the country’s green economic initiatives.

“Ngelale will serve in this role as part of a larger Presidential Committee, to be chaired by the President,” the office of the secretary to the government of the federation revealed in a statement signed Sunday by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen.

“Ngelale will retain his role as the Official Spokesperson of the President and Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity while serving on the committee,” it added.

The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu establishes a committee to oversee green economic initiatives, appoints Chief Ajuri Ngelale as special envoy on climate action.’

Imohsien said the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions will “coordinate and oversee all policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.”

“This is to remove the constraints to coordination, foster a whole-of-government approach to climate-action programmes, provide an efficient governance architecture, and ensure that all relevant institutions in the sector are plugged into the President’s vision and are collectively implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda on climate action,” it further explained.

The new committee which has the President as its Chairman also includes the Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal as its Vice-Chairman, and Mr. Ajuri Ngelale as its Secretary/Special Presidential Envoy.

Members are the CEOs of, InfraCorp, Mr. Lazarus Angbazo; National Council on Climate Change, Mr. Salisu Dahiru; Infrastructure Council Regulatory Commission, Mr. Michael Ohiani, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, Mrs. Aisha Rimi and National Social Investment Fund, Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq.

The committee also consists of the CEOs of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Mr Yusuf Maina-Bukar, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mr Abdullahi Mustapha; Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu; CreditCorp, Uzoma Nwagba, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Khalil Halilu Member, Solid Minerals Development Fund, Fatima Shinkafi; CBN Deputy Governor (Deputy Governor, Corporate Services Directorate) Mr Bala Bello; UN SE4ALL, Lolade Abiola; Member and an Adviser to the NCCC Adviser, Teni Majekodunmi.

Others are representatives of the Federal Ministries of FCT, Finance, Industry, Trade & Investment, Water Resources, and Agriculture & Food Security.

The committee also consists of representatives from the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service.

The OSGF outlined eight objectives of the Presidential Committee. They are to:

“Identify, develop, and implement innovative non-oil & non-gas climate action initiatives.

“Coordinate all activities of relevant federal institutions towards the attainment of all agreed climate action and green economic objectives and non-oil/non-gas ambitions of the federal government.

“Collaborate with all relevant government, subnational governments, non-government, and civil society entities towards the attainment of the climate action objectives and ambitions of the federal government.

“Collaborate with national governments and multilateral institutions towards the attainment of the climate action objectives and carbon market ambitions of the federal government.

“Monitor, evaluate, and guide the progress of all climate action and renewable energy projects and activities of the federal government.

“Track and guide the implementation of initiatives and developments conducted by the Energy Transition Working Group.

“Supervise the work of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen and

“Prepare a half-yearly green ambitions update, covering all associated climate action achievements of the federal government.”

News

Hilton Expands Presence in Nigeria With Two New Hotel Signings

Published

4 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

By Tari Ayesinghan | Lagos

Hilton has announced the signing of two new hotels in Nigeria, Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island and Hilton Garden Inn Enugu.

The move marks a significant expansion of the global hospitality company’s presence in the country.

Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island will feature 176 guest rooms and suites, a rooftop bar, and a conference room.

The hotel is located in the heart of Victoria Island, with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Hilton Garden Inn Enugu will have 150 guest rooms and suites, a gym, and an outdoor pool.

The hotel is situated in the HELIU Health Tourism District & Residences, a new development that includes a hospital, shopping mall, and office park.

The two new hotels will join Hilton’s existing properties in Nigeria, Transcorp Hilton Abuja and Legend Hotel Lagos Airport, Curio Collection by Hilton.

The company has also announced plans to develop Koko Beach Resort Ilashe Lagos, Curio Collection by Hilton.

Carlos Khneisser, Hilton’s Vice President of Development for the Middle East and Africa, said: “We are excited to announce the signing of Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island and Hilton Garden Inn Enugu. These new signings reaffirm Hilton’s commitment to Africa’s hospitality sector and confidence in Nigeria as a dynamic and growing market.”

The new hotels are expected to provide guests with a unique and welcoming experience, with a focus on local culture and hospitality. Hilton Garden Inn Enugu is set to open in 2025, while Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island is expected to open in 2026.

News

Gunmen Kidnap A’Ibom Monarch

Published

7 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Paramount ruler in Mbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom state, HRM Ogwong Okon A. Abang, has been kidnapped in his palace at Ebughu.

The abduction was said to have been carried out at about 9pm on Saturday. Recall that doctors in the state have downed tools over the kidnap of their colleague, Dr John Robbin Esu, who remains in the kidnappers den nearly three weeks after.

Like the case of Dr. Esu who was kidnapped in Oron LGA, the kidnap of the Paramount Ruler of Mbo, has raised more concern over the collapsed security architecture in Oron nation.

Only last week, the wife of Chief Asukwo Eweme Ulap Okon, aka Levile, a prominent political figure was also abducted in Oron.

Akwa Ibom State Police Command was yet to offer a word on the monarch’s abduction, but Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara and other service Commanders were moving to the Ebughu Palace of the victim at the time of filing this report.