FOLEGAL: Foundation Sues TikTok Over Access Blackout in Kano, Kaduna, Two Other Northern States

The Foundation for Digital Justice and Sustainable Development has sued TikTok Inc. at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged restrictions on access to the social media platform in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto states.
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The organisation, through its lead counsel, Festus Ogun of Festus Ogun Legal (FOLEGAL), filed the suit on October 5, 2026, under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure (FREP) Rules, 2009.

The suit, marked FHC/AB/CS/2409/2026, is seeking declarations and orders directing TikTok to restore access to users in the affected states and stop what the organisation described as arbitrary restrictions.

The Foundation is alleging that the restrictions violate Nigerians’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination.

In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, a legal officer with the organisation, Abidat Idowu, said TikTok users in the four states began experiencing difficulties accessing the platform around September 11.

She stated that by September 14, access to TikTok had become “completely restricted and inaccessible to millions of Nigerian Users in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto States.”

According to the affidavit, users on standard mobile data connections experienced frozen feeds while scrolling, videos that failed to load and repeated delays when attempting to upload content.

“These users cannot load videos, refresh their feeds and upload content on TikTok,” Idowu stated.

The Foundation alleged that the disruption had deprived affected users of access to information and prevented them from participating in online discourse

“Millions of Nigerian Users in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto States are left out of access to information, they cannot disseminate information, they cannot receive information and cannot express their opinions on the Respondent’s TikTok’s platform owing to the restriction and/or disruption,” the affidavit stated.

It also alleged that some affected users had been able to regain normal access through virtual private networks (VPNs),which can make an internet connection appear to originate from another location.

The organisation claimed that users in other parts of Nigeria continued to have unrestricted access to the platform.

“Disturbingly, except in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto States, users in all other parts of Nigeria continue to enjoy unrestricted and unfettered access and usage of Respondent’s TikTok App,” Idowu stated.

The Foundation further alleged that TikTok had not provided an explanation for the difference in access between users in the four states and those in other parts of the country.

“The Respondent has also not provided any explanation for the obvious exclusion, discrimination and restriction of access against all TikTok users in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto States,” the affidavit said.

The organisation is asking the court to determine whether the alleged restriction violates Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

It is also asking the court to determine whether the alleged differential treatment of users in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto violates Section 42 of the Constitution and Article 2 of the African Charter, which protect against discrimination.

The Foundation argued that TikTok had become important beyond entertainment, describing the platform as significant for communication, journalism, business, civic participation, and political and social discourse.

“The Respondent’s platform is very critical for communication, journalism, civic participation, business, political and social discourse in Nigeria and the restriction of millions of TikTok users in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto States has unduly excluded them,” it said.

TikTok

The organisation also argued that activities such as posting, viewing, liking, reposting and replying to content constituted forms of expression affected by the alleged restrictions.

The affidavit stated, “restricted accounts like those of millions of TikTok users in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto States are prevented from making post, viewing any post made on TikTok, replying to post, reposting or liking them.”

It added that “Replying, posting, reposting and liking are all ‘expressive conduct’ that the Respondent’s restriction inhibits.”

The Foundation further claimed that the alleged restrictions had effectively excluded residents of the four states from what it described as a public forum.

“By restricting millions of TikTok users in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto States, the Respondent has excluded citizens of Nigeria resident in the states from a public forum,” the affidavit stated.

Reliefs Sought

The organisation is seeking five principal orders from the Federal High Court.

It wants the court to declare the alleged restrictions “wrongful, unconstitutional, arbitrary” and a violation of the right to freedom of expression.

It is also asking the court to declare that restricting users in the four states while allowing users elsewhere in Nigeria to continue accessing TikTok amounts to a violation of the right to freedom from discrimination.

The Foundation is further seeking an order directing TikTok to immediately remove the alleged restrictions and a perpetual injunction restraining the company from imposing similar restrictions on users in the affected states or elsewhere in Nigeria without lawful justification.

It is also asking the court to order TikTok to publish a public apology in three newspapers with nationwide circulation within seven days of judgment for what it described as the violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights.

The Foundation said the action was necessary to protect digital rights and uphold the rule of law.

“This lawsuit is imperative for the enforcement of fundamental rights to freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination and preservation of the rule of law,” the affidavit stated.

It added, “Unless the reliefs sought herein are granted by this Honourable Court, the Respondent will continue to violate the fundamental rights of millions of TikTok users in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto States, with reckless abandon.”

The suit lists TikTok Inc., of 5800 Bristol Parkway, Suite 100, Culver City, California, United States, as the respondent.

The matter was filed before the Federal High Court in the Abuja Judicial Division.
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Ondo Governor Aiyedatiwa Directs Agencies To Support NAF Plane Crash Response, Orders Site Cordoned Off

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has directed state emergency and security agencies to provide full logistical and human support for ongoing operations following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
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The aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, crashed in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda on Monday, October 5, 2026.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Tuesday, Governor Aiyedatiwa said he received news of the crash with deep sadness and expressed condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and families of those on board.

According to the governor, preliminary information from the Nigerian Air Force indicated that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.

Aiyedatiwa said he had been in contact with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies deployed to the area.

He subsequently directed the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to mobilise immediately and support the Nigerian Air Force and other emergency response agencies involved in the operations at the crash site.

“To aid ongoing efforts, Governor Aiyedatiwa has directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Ministry of Health, and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilize and offer full logistical and human support to the Nigerian Air Force and other emergency response agencies in the search and rescue operations currently ongoing at the crash site,” the statement said.

The governor also directed authorities to cordon off and secure the area to ensure that rescue operations could proceed without hindrance.

He urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm, cooperate with emergency responders and refrain from spreading unverified information.

“On behalf of te Government and good people of Ondo State, Governor Aiyedatiwa expresses his heartfelt sympathy to the Chief of Air Staff, the entire Nigerian Air Force family, and the families of all personnel and passengers on board the ill-fated aircraft. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time,” the statement said.

The governor said the state government would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates based on information released by the Nigerian Air Force.

“We pray for the safety of our gallant officers and for the success of the rescue efforts,” he said.

NAF Releases Names Of 25 Victims

The development followed the Nigerian Air Force’s release of the names of 25 people who died in the crash.

The NAF said the aircraft had five crew members and 20 passengers on board when it crashed while travelling from Benin to Lagos.

The five crew members identified were Squadron Leader MI Aburime, Flight Captain; Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, Co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, Co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, Aircraft Technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, Aircraft Technician.

The 20 passengers were Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus; Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye; Flying Officer IM Adeshina; Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F; Master Warrant Officer Matini BA; Warrant Officer Nuhu FS; Flight Sergeant James RB; Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI; Sergeant Ani AE; Sergeant Izibenikien SI; Sergeant Alafuka C; Sergeant Mbadugha AN; Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC; Lance Corporal Eledan GE; Mrs Ezeh Nneka; Godstmine Tarabina; Joy Micheal; Sunday Micheal; Ukeme David; and Gideon Omotola.

The NAF said search-and-rescue procedures were activated immediately after the accident and carried out in coordination with relevant authorities.

However, it said no survivor had been found.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the victims’ families, loved ones and colleagues, describing the crash as a painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the country.

Aiyedatiwa

He also assured the bereaved families of the full support of the Service.

Aneke ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash and establish the factors that may have contributed to the accident.

The NAF urged members of the public to rely on verified information and avoid speculation or the circulation of unconfirmed reports.

The Service also appealed to the public to respect the privacy and dignity of the victims’ families.

Meanwhile, the NAF announced that a condolence register had been opened at its headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security chiefs and other well-wishers wishing to pay their respects.

The Air Force said it would continue to provide verified updates as the investigation progresses.
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Retired Police Officers and Families Again Protest in Abuja, Demand Exit From Contributory Pension Scheme

Retired Nigerian police officers, alongside their wives and children, on Monday took to the streets of Abuja to protest what they described as years of neglect under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
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The protesters, who said they served the country for as long as 35 years before retirement, demanded that the Federal Government urgently remove retired police personnel from the scheme and address what they described as persistent challenges affecting their pensions and welfare.

Carrying placards and voicing their grievances, the retirees said their years of service to Nigeria had not translated into a decent or secure retirement.

According to them, despite dedicating decades of their lives to the Nigeria Police Force, many retired officers are still struggling with pension-related challenges and inadequate welfare.

One of the retired officers lamented that they had become a liability after years of service, questioning why retired police personnel should continue to face hardship after spending decades protecting the country.

The retirees also compared the treatment of former police officers with the government’s response to pension and welfare concerns involving retired military personnel, arguing that retired police officers deserve similar attention and support.

The protesters said their decision to take to the streets followed prolonged neglect of their concerns by relevant authorities.

They called on the President Bola Tinubu-led government to urgently review the pension arrangements affecting retired police officers and consider their demand for a total exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme.

Police

They also appealed to the government to improve the welfare of retired police officers, saying those who spent their productive years serving and protecting the country should not be left to struggle after retirement.

The protesters urged the Tinubu’s administration and relevant government agencies to intervene in the matter and provide a lasting solution to their pension concerns.
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