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SERAP has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu over the recent 50% telecom tariff hike approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
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The tariff hike will increase the average price of calls to N16.5 per minute from N11, 1GB of data to N431.25 from N287.5/GB, and SMS prices to N6 from N4.
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SERAP is seeking a declaration that the NCC’s decision is arbitrary, unfair, and unconstitutional.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to court over the recent 50% telecom tariff hike.
The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenges the “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable” decision to increase telecom tariffs.
According to SERAP, the tariff hike will have a disproportionate impact on citizens’ freedom of expression and access to information.
The organization is seeking a declaration that the NCC’s decision is “arbitrary, unfair, unreasonable, and inconsistent” with citizens’ rights. SERAP is also asking the court for an interim injunction to restrain the NCC from implementing the tariff hike.
READ ALSO: Direct CCB to Publish your assets – SERAP tells Tinubu
The NCC’s decision, which was made unilaterally, has been criticized for its potential impact on consumers.
SERAP argues that the NCC failed to follow due process and reasonable interpretations of its enabling statutes and guidelines.
The organization is seeking to protect citizens’ rights and ensure that the government and its agencies act in accordance with the law.
SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, stated that the organization is committed to fighting for citizens’ rights and ensuring that the government is held accountable for its actions.
Telcos propose 100% tariff hike, await NCC nod
Nigerian telecommunications companies have proposed a staggering 100 per cent increase in tariffs, pending approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
According to Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria on Thursday, the proposed tariff hike is imperative for the sustainability of the industry.
