A Lagos widow, Mrs Sarah Akinya, has filed a N232 million lawsuit against Airtel Networks Limited and ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited over alleged noise pollution, property damage and environmental nuisance caused by a telecommunications mast near her home in Okota.
Akinya is asking the Lagos State High Court to award her damages and compel the companies to dismantle and relocate the facility. Alternatively, she wants an order stopping operations she claims have disrupted the peaceful enjoyment of her property.
The suit, filed on behalf of herself and members of her household, is marked LD/970/2007. It is before Justice Abisoye Jubril Bashua of the Lagos Judicial Division.
In her amended statement of claim, the widow said she had lived in her four-bedroom bungalow at No. 2 Alhaji Adeniran Street, off Moshobolaje Street, Ago Palace Way, Okota, since December 1995.
She traced the dispute to April 2004, when Airtel allegedly started construction on a neighbouring property at No. 4 Alhaji Adeniran Street.
By July 2004, she said it became clear that the company was installing a telecommunications facility identified as LAG 101 Base Station.
According to her, the installation includes a high-capacity mast, industrial generators, an energy reservoir and fuel storage facilities. She alleged that some of the equipment sits about four metres from her property’s boundary wall.
Widow Accuses Airtel of Noise Pollution and Property Damage
Through her lawyer, Ajibola O. Ajiboye of Fadeson Legal Practice, Akinya alleged that the generators produce continuous noise and vibrations that affect her household.
She claimed the vibrations caused cracks in the walls of her bungalow and boundary fence.
The widow also accused the facility’s operators of exposing her family to fumes, smoke and other emissions. She alleged that the pollutants enter her home and settle on furniture and floors, creating potential health risks.
Akinya is demanding N200 million in damages over the alleged nuisance arising from noise, vibrations, fumes, toxic smoke and radiation associated with the facility.
She is also seeking another N32 million in general damages for alleged discomfort, annoyance, illness, inconvenience, pain and suffering.
Beyond the compensation, she wants the court to direct Airtel and ATC to dismantle the installation and move it to a safer location.
Alternatively, she is asking for an injunction preventing the companies from continuing activities that allegedly constitute a nuisance.
Court Adds ATC Nigeria as Second Defendant
The legal dispute took another turn on January 15, 2026, when Justice Bashua approved an application to join ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited as the second defendant.
Court documents identify ATC as the company currently responsible for managing and operating the telecommunications mast.
The company has an office on the 10th Floor, Alliance Place, 33A Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Akinya’s claims also include allegations of negligence involving damage to her perimeter fence.
She told the court that a trailer carrying a generator to the site struck the fence during installation work, damaging part of the structure.
According to her, maintenance operators witnessed the incident and promised to repair the damaged section. However, she alleged that they failed to complete the repairs.
She further claimed that the weakened fence eventually collapsed during heavy rainfall, leaving her property exposed and raising security concerns for her family.
LASEPA Report Records Noise Levels Above Residential Limits
Akinya is also relying on an inspection reportedly carried out by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The agency’s assessment allegedly found that noise levels around the telecommunications facility exceeded the permitted limits for residential neighbourhoods.
The report reportedly recorded 71 decibels at the entrance to her property and 61 decibels at a distance of five metres.
These readings exceeded the stated residential limits of 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
Following the inspection, LASEPA, under its General Manager, Dr Babatunde Ajayi, reportedly directed the facility’s operators to take corrective measures.
The directives included addressing the noise pollution, installing soundproofing equipment, redirecting exhaust pipes and complying with applicable environmental regulations.
The claimant is relying on the findings and the agency’s intervention to strengthen her argument that the mast has disrupted the safety and comfort of her household.
Widow Takes Telecom Mast Dispute to Court
Further correspondence over the dispute was reportedly sent by Fadeson Legal Practice to ATC management on September 2, 2026.
Copies of the correspondence were also served on the Registrar of the Lagos State High Court, Yaba Division.
The court is expected to examine the allegations against both companies and determine whether the facility’s operations caused the claimed environmental nuisance and property damage.
Evidence presented by the parties, alongside the defendants’ responses, will help establish whether the claimant is entitled to the N232 million compensation and other reliefs she is seeking.
The case also brings attention to concerns surrounding the installation of telecommunications infrastructure close to residential buildings.
It raises questions about the responsibility of telecom operators and infrastructure companies to control noise, prevent environmental pollution and protect neighbouring properties.