A widow, Mrs Sarah Akinya, has instituted a lawsuit against Airtel Networks Limited and ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited at the Lagos State High Court, Lagos Judicial Division. The suit, marked LD/970/2007, seeks N232 million in damages over alleged noise pollution, structural damage and other environmental disturbances linked to a telecom mast near her residence in Okota, Lagos. The claimant is also asking the court to order the removal of the mast or restrain the defendants from continuing activities she says constitute an environmental nuisance.
According to court documents, Akinya has occupied her four-bedroom bungalow at No. 2 Alhaji Adeniran Street, off Moshobolaje Street, off Ago Palace Way, Okota, since December 1995. The dispute began in April 2004, when Airtel commenced construction on the adjoining property at No. 4 Alhaji Adeniran Street. By July of that year, she said, it had become clear that the company was installing a telecoms mast identified as LAG 101 Base Station.
The installation included a high-capacity mast, heavy-duty electricity generators, an energy reservoir and fuel storage facilities, allegedly located about four metres from her perimeter wall. Through her counsel, Ajibola O. Ajiboye of Fadeson Legal Practice, Akinya alleged that the continuous operation of the generators had exposed her household to persistent noise and vibrations, causing cracks in the walls of her building and the boundary fence.
Akinya further claimed that fumes, smoke and other emissions had spread into her living environment, settling on furniture and floors and creating serious health concerns for the occupants. She is asking the court to award N200 million as damages for nuisance arising from the alleged vibration, noise, noxious fumes, toxic smoke and radiation, and N32 million in general damages for annoyance, discomfort, illness, inconvenience, pain and suffering.
On January 15, 2026, Justice Bashua joined ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited as the second defendant. ATC, whose office is on the 10th Floor, Alliance Place, 33A Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was joined because court documents identify it as the entity currently managing and operating the mast. The claimant also alleges negligence over damage to her perimeter fence, which was damaged when a trailer conveying a generator intended for the mast struck the fence.
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) reportedly inspected the facility and recorded noise levels above the permitted limits for a residential area. The inspection report cited readings of 71 decibels at the entrance of the property and 61 decibels at a distance of five metres, against the residential standards of 55 decibels by day and 45 decibels at night. LASEPA directed the operators to install soundproofing measures, redirect exhaust pipes and comply with applicable environmental requirements.
Fadeson Legal Practice further wrote to ATC Nigeria’s management on September 2, 2026 over the dispute. Copies were reportedly served on the Registrar of the High Court of Lagos State, Yaba Division. The case is currently before Justice Bashua, who will determine the merits of Akinya's claims and the liability of the defendants.
Key points
- The widow is seeking N232 million in damages from Airtel Networks Limited and ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited.
- The telecom mast in question was installed in 2004 and has been allegedly causing noise pollution and environmental disturbances.
- The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) had inspected the facility and recorded noise levels above the permitted limits for a residential area.
