Telcos trying to restrict internet access, frustrate planned protest — Adegboruwa

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria in a statement issued today, advised that telcos should not try to undermine the upcoming protest against economic hardship in Nigeria by restricting internet access among disgruntled individuals.

“For the past few days, some telecom companies have been disconnecting their subscribers for flimsy and untenable reasons. Some allege lack of NIN registration or linking while some didn’t give any reason at all,” Adegboruwa said.

“This action is coming on the heels of the proposed struggle of the people against hunger, poverty, suffering and the suffocating economic policies of the Tinubu administration.

“From all indications, it would seem that the underlying target of the telecom companies is to limit the reach of their customers in order to restrict access and thus frustrate the protests.”

The senior lawyer said the contract between telecom companies and their subscribers remains sacrosanct and should not be tampered with arbitrarily.

“Sufficient information and opportunity should be given for subscribers to remedy any alleged breach or error.

“So many telephone users deploy their numbers for their businesses and other lawful engagements, not to talk to those who may have medical and health-related emergencies.

“The NCC is urged to look into this and come to the rescue of the subscribers.”

The senior lawyer had written to security services, proposing that demonstrators be protected under the Take It Back Movement banner beginning next month.

The protest against economic hardship, which is gathering support on social media, is slated to take place in all states of the Federation, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in August.

As Nigerians grapple with one of the country’s highest inflation rates and economic crises, triggered by the government’s dual policies of removing petrol subsidies and unifying forex windows prices of food and essential goods have skyrocketed in recent months.

Meanwhile, Bola Tinubu has urged dissatisfied youths to postpone their planned demonstration next month.

As part of efforts to appease dissatisfied citizens, the President forwarded a measure to the National Assembly this week that would boost the minimum salary from N30,000 to N70,000. On Tuesday, both chambers of the legislature quickly passed the bill, which now awaits presidential approval.

On Thursday, military officials warned that unscrupulous groups intend to hijack the protest and use it to stage mayhem, as was recently observed in East African country Kenya.

The police had also warned against bloody rallies next month, as governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) speculated that the protest may be hijacked and turn violent, similar to the EndSARS nationwide rally against police brutality in October 2020.