A non-governmental organisation, the Incorporated Trustees of HEDA Resource Centre, HEDA, has commenced contempt proceedings against the Managing Director of ATC Nigeria, Errol Ambler-Smith.

In a Form 48, HEDA warned of the consequences of disobedience of court orders against ATC Nigeria.

Named in the said Form 48 is the Managing Director of ATC Nigeria against whom the warning was directed at.

It will be recalled that HEDA had in a public interest suit marked FHC/L/CS/2359/2023 sued the Federal Ministry of Environment, ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Ltd (ATC Nigeria) and others to stop ATC from siting new base stations where there are already existing ones in close proximity owing to health and environmental concerns.

Justice Yellim Bogoro, had on November 21, 2023, issued an ex parte order of injunction against ATC Nigeria and other defendants, restraining themselves from taking any step towards establishing new masts in close proximity to existing ones.

The court upheld the prayers of the plaintiff/applicant, (HEDA Resource) and ordered the fourth and fifth defendants, ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Ltd and others together with their "servants, agents, privies and/or assigns from commencing, continuing or completing the construction or installation of any base trans-receiver stations/towers/masts (BTS) within close proximity to IHS' existing BTS or operating any BTS within close proximity to IHS' existing BTS pending the determination of the motion on notice."

The order effectively put on hold the implementation of the 2,500 towers project from IHS to ATC announced around November 10, 2023. The order of injunction was reaffirmed by the court on December 7, 2023.

Following alleged violation of the order of Justice Yellim Bogoro, made on November 21, 2023, HEDA initiated the contempt proceedings against Errol Ambler-Smith.

Meanwhile, hearing in the matter comes up February 14, 2024.