Nigeria Content Online

Three house owners
in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have sued the MTN Nigeria
Communications Limited and one Sangotokun Banji for erecting a mast in
their neighbourhood without caring about the implication on the
residents’ health.

The applicants, Messrs. Oluwadare James, Ogundipe Kamoru and Mrs. M.A. Ogundipe, have houses at Idi-Isin, in Ibadan.

They alleged, in
their separate statements on oath, that Mr. Banji sold his half plot of
land to the telecommunication firm for the purpose of erecting a GSM
mast in the predominantly residential area without minding what becomes
of the health situation of those who live within the place.

According to them,
they had earlier reported the matter at the Akobo Divisional
Headquarters of the Nigeria Police where they were advised to go to
court to seek appropriate redress.

They further claimed
that the Landlords and Residents Association of the area also wrote the
state commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, whose
ministry is responsible for the erection of masts across the state, for
necessary actions to stop the impending environmental disaster.

The claimants added
that their lawyer, F.A.Bello and Co., had written on their behalf to MTN
through her Chief Liaison Officer at Bodija, Ibadan, to suspend the
construction of the mast due to proximity to their houses.

But in spite of the effort, the defendants went on with the construction, violating their right to decent living.

The claimants said
they were well aware of the danger posed to the residents when mast is
erected in their area, which, they said, included loss of memory, sleep
disorders, tiredness, and cancer. They further claimed that the health
crises are associated with radiation effects from telecommunication
masts like the one under contention.

They said they were
sure that the MTN Nigeria Communications Limited did not acquire the
requisite approval before embarking on the construction of the mast.

Mistura Oladeinde, a
judge of the Oyo State High Court has been assigned to adjudicate in
the matter, and has adjourned till May 4 to allow the telecommunication
firm file its defence.