The House of Representatives has ordered representatives of telecommunications operators out of a hearing on poor network quality, following the failure of the companies’ chief executives to honour its summons.

The lawmakers also warned that any further unauthorised appearance could attract detention.

The action followed the absence of the chief executives of MTN, Globacom, Airtel and T2 Mobile before the House Ad Hoc Committee on Telecommunications Service Quality in Abuja.

Orange FM reports that representatives of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, appeared before the committee, claiming to represent the association and its member companies.

The representatives told the lawmakers that the operators had instituted legal proceedings challenging the summons but decided to attend out of respect for the National Assembly.

The committee, however, rejected their appearance, insisting that the summons was issued to the individual telecommunications companies and not their umbrella association.

The committee chairman, Olumide Osoba, represented by Sunday Umeha, warned that the House would not tolerate further unauthorised appearances by ALTON, stressing that the chief executives remained obligated to honour the summons.

The representatives were subsequently directed to leave the meeting, while the committee proceeded with an executive session involving officials of the Nigerian Communications Commission.

Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Osoba said the investigation was prompted by complaints from subscribers over dropped calls, unreliable internet services, disappearing data subscriptions and frequent network disruptions.

He stressed that poor telecommunications services affect businesses, commercial activities and essential services, warning that operators must be held accountable for the quality of services delivered to Nigerians.