The Nigerian Communications Commission, Governor Nasir El-Rufai and telecommunications providers have been sued by rights lawyer Gloria Mabeiam Ballason. 

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on behalf of the applicant and affected citizens, is in relation to the shutdown of telephone and internet services in Kaduna state.

Ms Ballason maintains that the internet shutdown in the state was not backed by law, adding that it violated her rights and the rights of affected citizens resident in Kaduna.

In the lawsuit, Ms Ballason argues that her litigation work, online HOJRADIO/TV (http://www.houseofjusticeng.com/house-of-justice-radio), was greatly affected.

She also noted that residents had their rights violated as a result of the shutdown, and had incurred losses without any substantial improvement in the state’s security situation.

The suit also calls the Nigerian Communications Commission to answer whether it is answerable to the Kaduna state governor or bound by the law that governs it.

Others joined in the suit include the Attorney General of Kaduna State, and network providers such as Airtel, Globacom, 9mobile and MTN.

The ban was initially imposed in September when security agencies and telecoms regulator NCC said blocking signals across the state could help frustrate bandits’ activities. 

Mr El-Rufai had said that security agents were planning on launching an offensive attack on bandits taking refuge in some parts of the state.

The shutdown in Zamfara and Katsina was said to have led bandits to neighbouring local government areas in Kaduna to make phone calls and demand ransoms.

However, in late November, Mr El-Rufai asked telecom operators to return to Kaduna, three months after the signal restrictions were put in place.