In a significant development, trial judge Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa granted an application for restraining orders filed by rights activist Olukoya Ogungbeje, temporarily halting telecom operators from implementing actions related to National Identification Number (NIN) requirements on February 22, 2024.
Ogungbeje brought a lawsuit against the federal government, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, and Airtel Networks Nigeria Limited. He sought an injunction pending appeal to prevent the respondents from enforcing judgments or imposing restrictions on SIM cards or phone lines, particularly those owned by Nigerian citizens.
The application presented by Ogungbeje listed ten grounds, highlighting his dissatisfaction with previous court rulings and his subsequent exercise of the constitutional right to appeal. Notably, it referenced a lawsuit initiated in April 2022 challenging the respondents’ actions, alleging infringement on fundamental rights and undermining the judiciary.
The court’s decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle surrounding NIN requirements and their implications for telecom subscribers. It underscores the importance of upholding citizens’ rights while navigating regulatory frameworks and policy implementations in the telecommunications sector.