Reps Threaten Arrest Warrants Against Telecom CEOs Over Poor Network Services
The House of Representatives has threatened to issue warrants of arrest against chief executives of telecommunications companies if they fail to appear before its committee investigating persistent poor network services across the country.
The warning was issued on Wednesday by the House Ad Hoc Committee investigating the quality of telecommunications services after lawmakers rejected an attempt by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) to represent the affected companies through its chairman, Gbenga Adebayo.
The committee, chaired by Olumide Osoba directed that the chief executives and other top management officials of the affected telecommunications operators appear before it on November 4, 2026, warning that failure to honour the invitation could attract warrants of arrest.
The committee had, on October 21, invited MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, Mafab Communications and other licensed operators to explain persistent complaints about dropped calls, slow internet connectivity, failed transactions and inadequate network coverage.
However, the operators reportedly delegated Adebayo to represent them at the hearing, a move that drew the committee’s disapproval, with lawmakers insisting that each company must personally account for its service delivery and address complaints relating to its operations.
Moving a motion on the matter, Sunday Umeha argued that the telecommunications companies were individually licensed by the Federal Government and could not rely on their membership of an industry association to avoid appearing before the legislature.
Umeha also faulted a letter reportedly written by ALTON questioning the committee’s authority to compel the operators to attend the hearing, describing the position as inconsistent with the constitutional responsibilities of the National Assembly.
The position was reinforced when a representative of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) confirmed that the commission had communicated the invitations to the chief executives individually.
The confirmation further angered lawmakers, who maintained that the operators had received sufficient notice and had been given adequate opportunities to honour the invitation.
Seconding the motion, the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi Jr., also faulted ALTON’s attempt to speak on behalf of the operators, arguing that telecommunications subscribers deal directly with individual service providers and expect each company to be accountable for its network performance.
Rotimi expressed concern over poor network coverage in parts of his constituency in Ekiti State, warning that the absence of mobile signals in some communities and along major routes could have serious security implications.
The committee also questioned Adebayo over a reported ₦8.46 billion fine imposed on Globacom, asking whether the ALTON chairman could adequately address regulatory and operational issues concerning an individual company while appearing in a representative capacity.
Following deliberations, Osoba put Umeha’s motion to a voice vote, and the ayes prevailed. The committee subsequently adjourned its sitting until November 4, 2026, when the affected operators are expected to appear.
