By Anaeto Maryann. E
A Nigerian podcaster and his company have instituted a ₦50 billion lawsuit against three of the country’s major telecommunications operators—MTN Nigeria, Globacom (Glo) and Airtel—over what they describe as unfair data subscription and expiry practices.
KaaTruths Podcast Limited and its principal, Ophoke Armstrong Amobi, popularly known as KAA, filed the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/886/2026, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Also joined as defendants are MultiChoice Nigeria, operators of DStv, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
According to court documents and statements released by KAA, the lawsuit challenges the practice of allowing subscribers’ unused data to expire when the validity period ends, particularly in situations where network disruptions, technical faults or equipment problems prevent customers from fully using the data they purchased.
What the Plaintiffs Are Challenging
One of the incidents cited in the suit involves an MTN data subscription reportedly worth ₦30,000, purchased with a 30-day validity period.
The plaintiffs alleged that the 5G router supplied for the service developed a fault, making it difficult to use the purchased data. They said requests for cancellation, a refund or rollover of the unused data were unsuccessful before the subscription eventually expired.
In another instance, the plaintiffs alleged that 75GB of data purchased for one month was depleted in less than seven days amid intermittent network problems. According to their account, they were not provided with a satisfactory explanation of how the data was consumed.
KAA and his company argue that such practices undermine consumer protection principles under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, particularly where customers are unable to receive the full benefit of services they have paid for because of network or technical issues.
A Bigger Consumer Debate
The lawsuit comes against the backdrop of long-standing complaints from Nigerian telecom subscribers over data expiration.
Many consumers have questioned why unused data should be forfeited at the end of a subscription period, particularly when network interruptions or service-related problems may have contributed to the inability to use the data.
The plaintiffs maintain that their argument is not against telecom operators making profits. Rather, they are challenging subscription arrangements which, in their view, place a disproportionate amount of the risk on consumers.
What Could the Case Mean for Nigerians?
The case could potentially reignite discussions around data rollover policies, network reliability, consumer refunds, data-consumption transparency and the treatment of unused data by telecommunications companies.
If the court ultimately makes findings that affect industry practices, the outcome could have implications beyond the parties involved and contribute to the wider debate over consumer rights in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
As of the time of filing, no formal response from MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Glo or MultiChoice concerning the specific allegations in the suit had been publicly detailed.
The matter remains before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Central News NG will continue to monitor the proceedings and provide updates as the case develops.
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