Telecom CEOs Face Arrest Warrants as Reps Reject Industry Body’s Representation

The House of Representatives has threatened to issue arrest warrants against the chief executives of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and Mafab Communications after they failed to appear before its ad hoc committee investigating poor network services across the country.

The executives had been summoned to appear in person on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, but instead attempted to send Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, to represent them. Lawmakers rejected the arrangement outright.

Committee Chairman Olumide Osoba directed the executives to appear personally on November 4, 2026, warning that failure to comply would attract arrest warrants.

Sunday Umeha, a member of the committee, expressed outrage at a letter reportedly written by ALTON questioning the panel’s authority to compel the operators to attend.

“They see their appearance as a privilege to this committee and not as a statutory obligation,” Umeha said. “We have the powers to compel their appearance before us in accordance with the Constitution”.

Umeha cited Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that the companies hold individual licences from the Federal Government and cannot hide behind an industry association to avoid legislative scrutiny.

House spokesman Akin Rotimi raised a security dimension to the crisis, alleging that two traditional rulers in his Ekiti State constituency were killed in an ambush along a road where mobile network signals were unavailable for about 20 minutes.

“Such connectivity gaps could leave residents and travellers unable to contact security agencies or seek emergency assistance,” he said.

The committee also questioned Adebayo over a reported N8.46 billion fine imposed on Globacom, asking whether he could adequately address regulatory issues concerning an individual operator while representing the industry body.

The investigation follows mounting subscriber complaints. The Nigerian Communications Commission disclosed that 75 million subscribers received airtime compensation for poor service in 2026, while the four major operators recorded 413,587 consumer complaints in the first half of the year alone.

A representative of the NCC confirmed to the committee that invitations had been communicated directly to the chief executives of the affected companies, undercutting any claim that they were unaware of the summons.

The committee adjourned until November 4, when the executives are expected to appear and explain persistent service failures, infrastructure investment gaps and plans to improve coverage nationwide.