Sarah Akinya accuses telecom operators of exposing her household to years of generator noise, toxic fumes and vibrations, claiming the facility damaged her home and boundary fence.

A Lagos-based widow, Mrs Sarah Akinya, has dragged telecommunications companies Airtel Networks Limited and ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited before the Lagos State High Court, demanding N232 million in damages over alleged noise pollution, environmental nuisance and structural damage caused by a telecommunications installation near her residence.

Akinya, who instituted the suit on behalf of herself and members of her household, is also asking the court to order the companies to dismantle and relocate the facility or permanently stop activities allegedly interfering with their peaceful enjoyment of the property.

The suit, marked LD/970/2007, is before the Lagos Judicial Division of the High Court and presided over by Justice Bashua.

In her amended statement of claim, the widow alleged that the telecommunications facility, identified as LAG 101 Base Station, had subjected her family to persistent noise, vibrations, smoke and harmful fumes since it was installed in 2004.

She said she had lived in her four-bedroom bungalow at 2, Alhaji Adeniran Street, off Moshobolaje Street, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, since December 1995.

According to her, the dispute began in April 2004 when Airtel commenced construction of the telecommunications facility on an adjoining property at 4, Alhaji Adeniran Street.

The installation reportedly consists of a telecommunications mast, heavy-duty generators, an energy reservoir and fuel storage facilities, allegedly located about four metres from her property's perimeter wall.

Through her lawyer, Ajibola Ajiboye of Fadeson Legal Practice, Akinya accused the companies of allowing generators at the facility to operate continuously, producing excessive noise and vibrations that allegedly caused cracks in the walls of her building and boundary fence.

She further claimed that smoke and exhaust fumes from the generators regularly entered her home, settling on furniture and floors and creating health concerns for members of her household.

Widow demands N232m compensation

In her claims, Akinya is seeking N200 million in damages over what she described as years of nuisance arising from excessive noise, vibrations, noxious fumes, toxic smoke and radiation allegedly associated with the telecommunications installation.

She is demanding an additional N32 million in general damages for the alleged annoyance, discomfort, illness, inconvenience, pain and suffering experienced by her and her household.

Beyond the financial compensation, she wants the court to compel Airtel and ATC to dismantle the facility and relocate it to a more suitable and safer location.

Alternatively, she is asking for a permanent injunction restraining the companies from continuing operations that allegedly constitute a nuisance to her residence.

LASEPA report backs noise pollution allegation

A major part of the widow's case rests on an inspection reportedly carried out by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), which allegedly established that noise levels around the telecommunications facility exceeded the permitted limits for a residential neighbourhood.

According to the inspection report cited in the court documents, noise levels measured 71 decibels at the entrance of her property and 61 decibels at a distance of five metres.

The readings were reportedly above the prescribed 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 excessive noise, installing appropriate soundproofing equipment, redirecting generator exhaust pipes and complying with relevant environmental regulations.

Akinya is relying on the agency's findings and intervention to support her argument that the companies' activities have unlawfully interfered with her right to enjoy her property peacefully.

Generator delivery allegedly damaged perimeter fence

The widow also accused the defendants of negligence over an incident involving a trailer conveying a generator to the telecommunications facility.

She alleged that the trailer struck and damaged part of her perimeter fence in an incident witnessed by maintenance operators at the site.

According to the court documents, the operators reportedly promised to repair the damaged section but failed to honour the commitment.

Akinya claimed that the weakened portion of the fence eventually collapsed during heavy rainfall, leaving her property exposed and raising security concerns for members of her household.

ATC joined as second defendant

The legal dispute took another turn on January 15, 2026, when Justice Bashua ordered the joinder of ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited as the second defendant in the case.

ATC, which has its office at Alliance Place, 33A Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was brought into the suit on the grounds that it is currently responsible for managing and operating the telecommunications mast.

The claimant's solicitors also reportedly wrote to ATC's management on September 2, 2026, regarding the dispute.

Copies of the correspondence were said to have been served on the Registrar of the Lagos State High Court, Yaba Division.

The widow is asking the court to hold the telecommunications companies accountable for the alleged environmental and structural damage and award compensation for the years of disruption she claims her family has endured.

The claims remain allegations before the court, and the defendants' responses and the court's eventual determination will be crucial in resolving the dispute.