By Our Reporter
A widow, Mrs Sarah Akinya, has dragged Airtel Networks Limited and ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited before the Lagos State High Court, demanding N232m in damages over alleged noise pollution, structural damage and environmental nuisance caused by a telecommunications mast near her residence in Okota, Lagos.
Akinya instituted the suit on behalf of herself and members of her household, seeking compensation and an order compelling the telecommunications companies to dismantle and relocate the installation to a safer location.
Alternatively, she is asking the court to restrain the defendants from continuing operations allegedly constituting a nuisance to her family and property.
The suit, marked LD/970/2007, is before Justice Bashua of the Lagos State High Court, Lagos Judicial Division.
In her amended statement of claim, the widow alleged that the telecommunications facility, identified as LAG 101 Base Station, had subjected her household to persistent noise, vibrations, smoke and fumes since its installation in 2004.
She said she had lived in her four-bedroom bungalow at 2, Alhaji Adeniran Street, off Moshobolaje Street, off Ago Palace Way, Okota, since December 1995.
According to her, the problem started in April 2004 when Airtel commenced construction of the facility on an adjoining property at 4, Alhaji Adeniran Street.
She alleged that the installation, comprising a telecommunications mast, heavy-duty generators, an energy reservoir and fuel storage facilities, was located approximately four metres from her property’s perimeter wall.
The claimant, through her lawyer, Ajibola Ajiboye of Fadeson Legal Practice, alleged that the continuous operation of the generators produced excessive noise and vibrations, resulting in cracks in the walls of her building and boundary fence.
She further claimed that smoke and fumes from the facility regularly entered her home, settling on furniture and floors and raising concerns about the health and well-being of members of her household.
Akinya is demanding N200m as damages for the alleged nuisance arising from noise, vibrations, noxious fumes, toxic smoke and radiation associated with the facility.
She is also seeking N32m in general damages for alleged annoyance, discomfort, illness, inconvenience, pain and suffering.
Beyond the financial compensation, the widow wants the court to order the defendants to dismantle the telecommunications installation and relocate it to a more suitable location.
The alternative relief is an injunction restraining the companies from continuing activities allegedly interfering with her family’s peaceful enjoyment of their property.
The dispute also includes an allegation of negligence over damage to the claimant’s perimeter fence.
Akinya alleged that a trailer conveying a generator to the telecommunications facility struck and damaged the fence in an incident witnessed by maintenance operators.
She said the operators promised to repair the damaged section but failed to fulfil their commitment.
According to her, the weakened fence subsequently collapsed during heavy rainfall, exposing her property and creating security concerns for the occupants.
In support of her claims, the widow relied on an inspection reportedly conducted by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), which found that noise levels around the facility exceeded the permitted limits for residential areas.
The inspection reportedly recorded noise levels of 71 decibels at the entrance of her property and 61 decibels at a distance of five metres.
These readings were above the prescribed residential limits of 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
LASEPA, under its General Manager, Dr Babatunde Ajayi, reportedly directed the facility’s operators to address the noise pollution, install soundproofing measures, redirect exhaust pipes and comply with relevant environmental regulations.
The claimant is relying on the agency’s intervention to strengthen her argument that the telecommunications facility has interfered with her right to the peaceful enjoyment of her home.
The proceedings took another turn on January 15, 2026, when Justice Bashua ordered the joinder of ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited as the second defendant.
ATC, which has an office on the 10th Floor, Alliance Place, 33A, Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was joined on the grounds that it is currently responsible for managing and operating the telecommunications mast.
Akinya’s solicitors, Fadeson Legal Practice, also reportedly wrote to ATC’s management on September 2, 2026, concerning the dispute.
Copies of the correspondence were said to have been served on the Registrar of the Lagos State High Court, Yaba Division.
The court is expected to determine the claims and the responsibilities of the defendants in the dispute.