MTN Ghana faces $5M suit from ex-MP Ras Mubarak over roaming services failure

Former Kumbungu Member of Parliament, Abdulai Mohammed Mubarak, widely known as Ras Mubarak, has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Scancom PLC, operators of MTN Ghana. The former MP accuses the telecommunications company of failing to provide roaming services during a recent trip abroad, a failure he claims caused significant losses and emotional distress.

In his writ, Ras Mubarak stated that he has been a loyal MTN customer for over two decades, utilizing both prepaid and postpaid services. As a frequent traveler, he emphasized his reliance on MTN’s internet and roaming services, noting that he always activates the roaming feature before traveling internationally.

Detailing the incident, Mubarak recounted that in September, before departing for the United Arab Emirates, he activated MTN’s roaming service. However, upon arrival, he discovered he was unable to access mobile services, including calls, SMS messages, and internet data.

“I was stranded for an entire week without a mobile network connection,” Mubarak lamented. Despite lodging multiple complaints with MTN Ghana during the trip, the issue remained unresolved.

The former MP claims the service disruption caused him substantial damage, including lost business opportunities, reputational harm, and difficulties in managing family responsibilities. He highlighted his inability to send money to his wives and children back home and revealed he had to rely on loans from employees and associates to cover his expenses during the trip.

Mubarak stated that MTN’s failure subjected him to “severe emotional and psychological anguish” and “irreparable embarrassment” due to his status as a public figure.

The lawsuit demands $5 million in compensation for the loss of business opportunities, inconvenience, hardship, and embarrassment. Mubarak is also seeking compensation for any further costs incurred in pursuing the legal action.