NIN: Court stops telecom operators from deactivating subscriber’s lines

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has restrained telecom operators in Nigeria from deactivating or barring lines of subscribers whose user did not link to the National Identification Number (NIN).

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos gave the order on Monday, February 26, Vanguard reported.

Recall that human rights activist, Olukoya Ogungbeje dragged the federal government, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, MTN and Airtel Networks to court over threat to disconnect users who refused to link their lines to NIN.

The lawyer had in a suit, asked the court for an injunction pending appeal, restraining the federal government, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, MTN and Airtel Networks, their agents, outlets, agencies etc from outright barring, deactivating and or restricting any SIM cards or phone lines, or of any Nigerian citizen.

He argued that the status quo should remain pending the hearing and determination of his appeal at the Court of Appeal, against the court’s judgment delivered on May 8, 2023, by Justice Lewis-Allagoa.