Foundation sues TikTok over restrictions in Kano, others

The Foundation for Digital Justice and Sustainable Development has filed a case at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged restrictions imposed by TikTok on users in parts of Northern Nigeria.

In the suit sigheted by Daily Trust, the organisation alleged that TikTok had restricted or geoblocked users in Kaduna, Kebbi, Kano and Sokoto states from accessing its platform.

The group through its counsel, Festus Ogun, asked the court to determine whether the alleged restriction violated the constitutional right to freedom of expression and amounted to discrimination against users in the affected states.

The suit, dated October 5, 2026, was brought pursuant to Sections 39, 42, 45 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009 and relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The applicant argued that TikTok could not lawfully restrict users in the affected northern states while allowing users in other parts of the country to have unrestricted access to the platform.

It urged the court to declare the alleged restriction “wrongful, unconstitutional and arbitrary”, arguing that it amounted to a violation of the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination.

The group is also seeking an order directing TikTok to immediately remove the alleged restriction and permanently restraining the company from further restricting users in Northern Nigeria or any other part of the country without lawful justification.

It further asked the court to order TikTok to publish a public apology in three national newspapers for the alleged violation of the group’s fundamental rights.

The applicant wants the court to determine whether the alleged geoblocking contravenes Section 39 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, and Article 9 of the African Charter.

It also wants the court to determine whether the alleged differential treatment of users across Nigeria violates Section 42 of the Constitution and Article 2 of the African Charter, which prohibit discrimination.

The suit, filed at the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, named TikTok Inc, with an address in Culver City, California, United States, as the respondent.

The court directed the respondent to enter appearance within five days of service of the summons, failing which such orders may be made as the court considers just and expedient.