Mobile Telecoms company, Airtel, has been instructed to pay the sum of N5million in damages to a fed-up customer, Mr Emmanuel Anene, who sued the Telecoms company over incessant unsolicited messages sent by the company to his mobile line.
The case, which was filed on December 21, 2015, has been ruled on by the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama on November 2, 2016.
The court, in its ruling which favoured the fed-up customer, slammed a N5million fine on the telecoms company for violation of a customer’s right to privacy.
The court’s ruling againts Airtel is in accordance with the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations, under the Nigerian Communications Act.
Ruling on the case, Justice Okeke held that: “Putting into consideration the obvious inconveniences, discomfort and embarrassments, the plaintiff had undeniably gone through, the defendant has been directed to pay to the plaintiff damages, not the N200 million the plaintiff asked for but N5 million only.”
The court further held that: “The defendant, having received complaints from the plaintiff, but continued to disturb the plaintiff from quiet enjoyment of the line.
“In every wrong there must be a remedy, to vindicate the plaintiff’s right which has been violated in the forth going circumstance by the defendant; the plaintiff shall be awarded damages based on the discretion of the court.”