National Assembly Lacks Telecom Regulation Power

A lawyer, Sesan Bankole, has stated that the National Assembly does not have the authority to regulate telecommunications operators or enforce penalties against them. According to Bankole, these responsibilities are assigned to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Bankole’s remarks emerged during a dispute between the House of Representatives and telecom operators regarding inadequate network quality. Lawmakers had previously threatened to issue arrest warrants against the heads of major telecom companies who did not appear before a committee examining service delivery.

In a statement released on Thursday, Bankole emphasized that while the National Assembly can request information from telecom operators for the public good, it must adhere to constitutional boundaries.