A storm of controversy has erupted between Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas and Globacom Nigeria Limited, after the lawmaker publicly accused the telecommunications giant of unfair billing and arbitrary disconnection of his line despite a hefty balance of over N90,000.
The senator, who represents Delta South Senatorial District, took to his social media page to narrate what he described as a “confusing and exploitative” experience with Glo. According to him, his line suddenly stopped working, and upon contacting customer service, he was told that the line was disconnected over an alleged debt of N13,900, even though his account showed a positive balance of N90,835.26.
“I was shocked when the agent insisted that I must first pay the N13,900 before my line could be restored,” the senator wrote. “It made no sense to me. If I have a credit balance with you, why disconnect my line? This mathematics doesn’t add up.”
The senator further stated that he requested escalation of the matter during the call, which took place between 10:22 p.m. and 10:51 p.m. on October 13, 2025. When told that the customer service representative he spoke with was the “highest authority available,” he decided to go public and promised to bring the matter before relevant Senate committees for investigation.
He called on Nigerians who had suffered similar experiences to reach out, saying the situation “may be a reflection of widespread abuse by network operators.”
Glo’s Response
In a swift reaction, Glo Nigeria issued a formal statement signed by its representative, apologizing for the inconvenience and announcing that the senator’s line had been reactivated. The company explained that the senator was on a Core Postpaid Plan, where billing is done after usage based on a contract, and that his account included a credit limit and a refundable security deposit.
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Glo maintained that the matter had been resolved and invited the senator to discuss his account details directly with their representatives, adding that “we’re dedicated to providing transparent, fair, and customer-centric services.”
However, this response did little to calm public anger. Many Nigerians took to social media to express solidarity with the senator and frustration over what they described as the “high-handedness” of Nigerian telecom operators.
Public Reactions
A user identified as Emenane Bright commented directly under Glo’s response, questioning the company’s logic: “Your explanation still doesn’t add up. You’ve restored his line without him paying the alleged debt. So, did you bend the rules because he’s a senator?”
Another user, Price Wizzy, recounted his own ordeal: “MTN sold my line to another customer, blocked me out, and even changed my picture to that of the new user. When I complained, they said there was nothing they could do.”
Similarly, Joseph Iviero criticized Glo’s defense, accusing the network of “defrauding Nigerians.” He wrote, “This is the language you people want to use to stop him? It’s dead on arrival. You must be sanctioned for defrauding Nigerians. Not just Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas—you’ve met your Waterloo.”
The senator’s post has since sparked a broader conversation on the rights of telecom subscribers in Nigeria and the lack of transparency in billing systems. Many Nigerians are now calling for a Senate investigation into the operations of major network providers to uncover what they describe as “systemic extortion.”
Industry observers note that the case could reignite calls for stronger consumer protection laws in the telecommunications sector, particularly regarding data privacy, billing clarity, and customer service accountability.
As of press time, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has yet to disclose whether Glo reached out to him directly following the public statement. However, his office confirmed that a formal petition to the Senate Committee on Communications is already being prepared.
The controversy continues to gain traction online, with many Nigerians hailing the senator’s decision to speak out, describing it as “a rare example of leadership that listens and acts.”
