National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, an agency of the Federal Government, has filed a criminal charge against an indigenous telecommunication firm, Globacom Nigeria Limited and it’s former Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ahmad Farroukh, over alleged violation of installation regulations.
Specifically, NESREA in a two count-charge numbered FHC/L/967c/2024, accused Globacom and Ahmad Farroukh, of operating over 7, 000 base transceiver stations nationwide, without conducting Environmental Audit and submitting requisite Environmental Audit Reports for the year 2024 to 2027.
Both Globacom and it’s Ex-CEO were also accused of failure to abide with the requirements of enforcement notices issue by NESREA in March 21, 2024.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Telnumun Maria, the agency’s Director of Legal Services, contravened sections 5 (2) and 27(1)(b) of the National Environmental (Standards for Telecommunications and Broadcast Facilities) Regulations 2011 and punishable under Section 1(1)(2) and 28(2) of the same Regulations.
Meanwhile, when the matter was called on February 20, 2025, neither the two defendants nor their lawyer and the prosecutor were in court.
Consequently, the matter was adjourned to May 8, for the defendants’ plea to be taken.
Charges against the company and it’s CEO read: “That you Globacom Nigeria Limited and Ahmad Farroukh, both of No.1 Mike Adenuga Close, Off Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State, on or about March 21, 2024 operated over 7, 000 base transceiver stations nationwide, without conducting Environmental Audit and submitting requisite Environmental Audit Reports for the period 2024-2027, Contrary to Section 5 (2) of the National Environmental (Standards for Telecommunications and Broadcast Facilities) Regulations 2011 and punishable under Section 1(1)(2) of the same Regulations.
“That you Globacom Nigeria Limited and Ahmad Farroukh, both of No. 1, Mike Adenuga Close, Off Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State, on or about March 21, 2024, constructed over 7, 000 base transceiver stations nationwide, within the jurisdiction of this court, and failed to comply with the requirements of enforcement notices issued by NESREA, contrary to Section 27(1)(b) of the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations, 2011 and punishable under section 28(2) of the same Regulation.”
