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Need for Communications Appeal Tribunal in resolving disputes

By Olawale Fayose
15 March 2016   |   1:16 am
Whilst the UK framework should not be a one size fits all model as each jurisdiction has its own peculiarities, the present Nigerian framework in the absence of an expert appellate body can glean some lessons ...
Adebayo Shittu

Adebayo Shittu

Continued from Tuesday last week
Nigerian framework

Whilst the UK framework should not be a one size fits all model as each jurisdiction has its own peculiarities, the present Nigerian framework in the absence of an expert appellate body can glean some lessons towards enhancing its communications institutional framework, for example, appeals in communications matters are made to the NCC in the 1st instance, and following a review by the NCC to the Courts. A cause for concern in the Nigerian framework can be seen in the following cases NCC v MTN, Appeal No. CA/A/25/2004 where MTN, the Plaintiff/Respondent applied to the FHC for a review of the Interconnect Rate determination carried out by NCC. The NCC in response entered a preliminary objection in the matter contending that MTN was obligated to explore pre-action conditions stipulated in s86-88 of the NCC Act 2003. On appeal, the Court of Appeal held that it is essential that MTN meet the pre-condition stipulated in s86-88 of the NCC Act 2003 requiring a review of the decision by NCC, before going to court;also in Econet Wireless Nigeria Ltd V. NCC, Appeal No. CA/A/83/2004Econet applied to the FHC challenging the Interconnect rate determination carried out by the NCC in December 2004. The NCC also challenged the jurisdiction of the court on the grounds that Econet had not followed the necessary procedural requirements before filing the suit. The Court upheld NCC’s contention and ruled that Econet was obligated to comply with the requirements of section 86-88 of the NCC Act 2003. The suit was thereby struck out.

The Courts decision were accurate as section 86-88 of the NCC Act 2003 clearly provides for pre-action provisions which if not complied with ousts the jurisdiction of the Court pending compliance with the provisions. However, it is doubtful if the economic related disputes in both instances could be competently adjudicated by the Nigerian courts in the absence of the requisite expertise. Perhaps, the rhetoric that the Court could rely on expert evidence with the overriding duty of the expert to the court in adjudicating over the matter or seek the assistance of an amicus curiae, nonetheless the judge will still be required to understand, for example, economic evidence to make a reasoned decision especially where presented with two conflicting expert opinions. Moreover, communication disputes tend to be inquisitorial and not just adversarial going beyond the interests of the parties to the public interest especially in relation to economic related disputes, for e.g. an adjudicator may at times when reaching its decision carry out a consultation on its proposed decision to the parties in dispute or to interested stakeholders.

Towards a robust legal and institutional framework

The ills of the absence of a robust legal and institutional dispute resolution framework are lack of regulatory accountability; it breeds errors in regulatory decision making; stifles legal development; creates distortion in the market through the application of incorrect regulatory decisions thereby impacting on the competitiveness of the sector and consumer welfare regulatory objectives, the epicenter of communications regulation. In contrast, the benefits are immense, the regulated network and service providers exercises its constitutional right of appeal to have their objections reviewed on the merits of the case by a competent appellate body; it provides a mirror which reflects the increasing effectiveness of competition in the market; it’s a good means to monitor the effects of ex-ante and ex-post regulation in the sector and to assess whether or not there is a need for more or less regulation in the sector thereby ensuring that regulatory objectives are met and not dated; it fosters regulatory accountability by testing the effectiveness of a dispute resolution framework in terms of resources, personnel and structure; and it facilitates timely resolution of commercial disputes.

Nigeria should therefore consider developing the third regulatory restraint in communications regulation, the dispute resolution framework in addition to ex-ante and ex-post regulation towards a robust communications legal and institutional framework by enacting legislation creating a communications appeal tribunal to adjudicate over appeals from NCC decisions in particular regulator/operator disputes. The existence of such a framework will be most suited to resolve the on-going dispute between MTN and NCC.
Fayose is a Lagos-based legal practitioner

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