A widow, Mrs. Sarah Akinya, has dragged Airtel Networks Limited and ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited before the Lagos State High Court, demanding N232 million in damages over alleged noise pollution, structural damage, and environmental nuisance caused by a telecommunications mast sited near her residence in Okota, Lagos.
Instituting the suit—marked LD/970/2007 before Justice Bashua of the Lagos Judicial Division—on behalf of herself and members of her household, Akinya is also seeking a court order compelling the telecom firms to dismantle and relocate the facility or restraining them from continuing operations affecting her property.
In her amended statement of claim filed through her counsel, Ajibola Ajiboye of Fadeson Legal Practice, the widow averred that the defendants’ facility, identified as LAG 101 Base Station, had subjected her family to persistent noise, vibrations, smoke, and fumes since its installation in 2004.
Akinya stated that she had resided peacefully in her four-bedroom bungalow at 2, Alhaji Adeniran Street, off Moshobolaje Street, off Ago Palace Way, Okota, since December 1995, until Airtel commenced construction on the adjoining property at 4, Alhaji Adeniran Street in April 2004.
According to her, the installation—comprising a telecommunications mast, heavy-duty generators, an energy reservoir, and fuel storage facilities—was erected barely four metres from her perimeter wall. She alleged that continuous vibrations from the generators caused severe cracks in the walls of her building and boundary fence, while thick smoke and fumes settled on household furniture and floors, posing serious health risks to occupants.
Consequently, the claimant is demanding N200 million in damages for the alleged nuisance arising from noise, vibrations, noxious fumes, toxic smoke, and radiation, alongside N32 million in general damages for annoyance, discomfort, illness, inconvenience, pain, and suffering. She also seeks a mandatory order directing the defendants to dismantle and relocate the mast, or an injunction restraining further nuisance.
In addition to the environmental claims, Akinya accused the operators of negligence regarding her perimeter fence. She alleged that a trailer conveying a generator to the base station struck and damaged the fence in the presence of maintenance operators, who promised to fix the damaged section but failed to do so. The weakened structure subsequently collapsed during heavy rainfall, exposing her home to security threats.
To substantiate her claims, the widow relied on an inspection report by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), which confirmed that noise emissions from the facility exceeded permissible limits for a residential area. The agency recorded noise levels of 71 decibels at the entrance of her property and 61 decibels five metres away—well above the statutory residential limits of 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
LASEPA, under its General Manager, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, had reportedly directed the operators to abate the noise pollution, install soundproofing, redirect exhaust pipes, and comply with environmental regulations.
Meanwhile, the litigation took a new turn on January 15, 2026, when Justice Bashua ordered the joinder of ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited—located at Alliance Place, 33A, Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi—as the second defendant, following submissions that the firm currently manages and operates the mast.
Court filings also indicated that the claimant’s solicitors formally notified ATC’s management of the dispute via a letter dated September 2, 2026, copies of which were served on the Registrar of the High Court of Lagos State, Yaba Division.
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Standard News: Lagos Widow Demands N232m From Airtel, ATC Over Mast Noise, Property Damage
SEO-Focused: Widow Sues Airtel, ATC for N232m at Lagos High Court Over Telecom Mast Noise Pollution
Short/Social: Lagos Widow Drags Airtel, ATC to Court Over Mast Noise, Demands N232m Damages
