A Nigerian woman has reportedly sued telecommunications company MTN after her father was arrested twice over a phone number he received.

What happened

According to reports on Thursday, 5 November 2026, MTN reassigned a recycled phone number to her father. Unknown to him, the number had allegedly been used by a previous owner for criminal activity. As a result, he was reportedly arrested on two separate occasions over matters he had no knowledge of. His daughter has now taken legal action, holding MTN responsible for the distress the family suffered. MTN has not publicly commented on the case.

Why it matters

Telecom operators in Nigeria, as in many countries, recycle numbers that have been inactive for a long period and reassign them to new customers. The case has raised questions about whether operators should check that numbers are not linked to criminal investigations before giving them out, and about how security agencies verify that the current holder of a number is the person they are looking for.

Background

Nigeria requires all SIM cards to be linked to the National Identification Number, a policy meant to make it easier to trace criminals. However, problems with outdated records and recycled numbers have led to complaints from people who receive calls, messages or even police visits meant for previous owners.

How people reacted

Many social media users shared similar experiences with recycled numbers and said they hoped the case would force telecom companies to change their practices.

A magistrate court in Kano has handed an unusual sentence to a TikTok user over videos that ridiculed officials of the state's traffic agency.

The sentence

According to the Kano State Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA), the court found that the TikTok user published videos containing statements that damaged the image of its personnel and exposed them to public ridicule. Magistrate Halima Wali ordered him to clean the agency's headquarters on Club Road, Kano, for two weeks and to carry out any other task the agency considers appropriate. He was also ordered to write a formal letter of apology to KAROTA's management and promise not to repeat the conduct. The agency's spokesman, Abubakar Ibrahim Sharada, confirmed the sentence.

Background

Non-custodial sentences such as community service are increasingly used by Nigerian courts for minor offences, partly to reduce overcrowding in prisons. Content creators have faced a rising number of cases over online posts in recent years, often under defamation or cybercrime laws. Rights groups have warned that such laws can be used to silence critics, while authorities say people must be held responsible for false or damaging content.

How people reacted

Many social media users found the sentence amusing and said it was a fair alternative to jail, while others said it showed the risks content creators face when they criticise officials.

National Union of Road Transport Workers president Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has spoken openly about his efforts to improve his English.

What he said

Speaking at a rally in support of President Bola Tinubu's re-election on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, MC Oluomo reportedly said he was attending adult lessons to sharpen his spoken English. Addressing Nollywood actor Lege Miami, who organised the event, he joked about their shared struggles with the language. He also pointed to his children, who he said work in the United States as a nurse, a doctor and an engineer, as proof of his success.

Background

MC Oluomo rose from Lagos motor parks to become the national president of the NURTW and is a close ally of the President. He has often been mocked online over his English. At the same rally, Lege Miami broke down in tears while thanking MC Oluomo and others for supporting the event. Separately, a Lagos court this week ordered the arrest of the union's Lagos State chairman over alleged contempt.

How people reacted

Many people praised MC Oluomo for being honest and willing to keep learning, while others joked about the exchange between him and Lege Miami.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has removed the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and voided its decisions, including the nomination of former vice-president Atiku Abubakar as the party's 2027 presidential candidate, according to reports on Thursday, 5 November 2026.

The judgment

Justice Peter Lifu reportedly delivered the judgment in a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former national deputy chairman of the ADC for the North-East. The court ruled against the caretaker committee led by former Senate President David Mark and set aside all decisions it took on behalf of the party, which would include the primary that produced Atiku as candidate. Full details of the court's reasoning and any orders to INEC were still emerging.

Timing

The ruling came less than 24 hours after Atiku formally launched his presidential campaign at a rally in Sokoto, which his campaign said drew a large crowd.

Background

The ADC became the platform of a coalition of opposition figures in 2025, with David Mark as interim national chairman. Its leadership has faced legal challenges from former officials who say they were wrongly pushed aside. Several court cases over party primaries are ongoing across all major parties, and courts have recently sacked candidates in Nasarawa and ordered changes elsewhere.

What happens next

The ADC and Atiku are widely expected to appeal. Until the appeal is decided, it is not clear how the ruling will affect his candidacy or the party's campaign. Neither Atiku nor the party had responded publicly at the time of reporting.