Reps Panel Threatens Arrest Warrants for MTN, Airtel, Glo CEOs Over Missed Hearing
The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating poor telecommunications services in Nigeria has threatened to issue arrest warrants against the chief executive officers of major telecom operators for failing to honour its invitation.
The committee had summoned the heads of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom (Glo), Mafab Communications Limited and other service providers to appear before it on October 28.
However, during Wednesday’s sitting, Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), attempted to represent the companies’ executives but was turned down by the lawmakers.
The committee chairman, Olumide Osoba, who represents Ogun State under the All Progressives Congress (APC), directed the chief executives to appear in person at the next hearing scheduled for November 4. He warned that failure to comply could result in arrest warrants.
A member of the committee, Sunday Umeha (APC, Enugu), argued that the telecommunications companies were individually licensed by the Federal Government and could not use their membership of an industry association as a reason to avoid appearing before the legislature.
Umeha also criticised a letter reportedly submitted by ALTON questioning the committee’s authority to compel the operators to attend the hearing.
He maintained that appearing before the committee was a statutory obligation rather than a privilege, citing Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which empowers the National Assembly to investigate matters within its legislative competence.
Meanwhile, House spokesperson Akin Rotimi raised concerns over poor network coverage in parts of Ekiti State, warning that connectivity gaps could endanger lives and undermine security efforts.
Rotimi alleged that two traditional rulers in his constituency were killed in an ambush along a road without mobile network coverage.
He explained that network blackouts in some communities and along major roads could prevent residents and commuters from contacting security agencies or requesting emergency assistance during critical situations.
The lawmakers’ intervention comes amid growing concerns over the quality of telecommunications services across the country.
On October 20, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced that 75 million subscribers had received airtime compensation for poor service quality in 2026.
The regulator said the compensation initiative, implemented under its consumer compensation framework, was intended to address service-related concerns and improve connectivity for telecommunications users.
