By Our Correspondent
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has fined MTN Nigeria Communications Limited ₦15 million for violating a customer’s privacy through unsolicited messages and callertunes.
The unanimous decision, delivered on Friday by a three-member panel led by Justice Okon Abang, ruled that MTN’s actions infringed on the right to privacy guaranteed under Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The case was initiated by public interest lawyer Ezugwu Anene, who accused MTN of disrupting his quiet enjoyment of airtime through unwanted services, even after activating the “Do Not Disturb” (DND) option. Mr. Anene also alleged that MTN deducted funds from his airtime for services he never subscribed to.
Justice Abang condemned MTN’s practices as a breach of consumer rights, noting that telecommunications companies must respect customers’ choices.
The court dismissed MTN’s cross-appeal, labeling it meritless, and described the unsolicited services as an exploitative practice likely enriching the company unlawfully.
This judgement overturns a prior ruling by the FCT High Court, which had awarded Mr. Anene ₦300,000 in damages.
The Appeal Court increased the compensation to ₦15 million, emphasizing that MTN’s conduct warranted exemplary damages to deter similar breaches in the future.
The ruling marks a significant victory for consumer rights in Nigeria and reinforces the need for accountability among service providers. Further proceedings on the matter remain pending.
