Ras Mubarak sues MTN for $5M over roaming service failure

Abdulai Mohammed Mubarak, a former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu and popularly known as Ras Mubarak, has filed a lawsuit against Scancom PLC, the parent company of MTN Ghana, for failing to provide roaming services during his recent travels abroad.

In the legal claim, Ras Mubarak asserts that he has been a loyal prepaid and postpaid customer of MTN for over 20 years. As a frequent traveler, he has relied on MTN’s internet services for both personal and business matters. Before traveling outside Ghana, he always ensures that his roaming service is activated on his MTN mobile phone.

However, in September 2024, after activating the roaming service before heading to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mubarak encountered significant issues upon arrival. He was unable to access mobile services, including making calls, sending or receiving SMS messages, or using internet data. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue, he was unable to restore service, leaving him without a network connection for an entire week.

Mubarak alleges that the failure of MTN Ghana to resolve the roaming issue caused him considerable damage, including the loss of business opportunities and reputational harm. Unable to contact business associates or attend scheduled meetings, he claims that the disruption also affected his personal life, as he could not send money to support his family in Ghana.

Further, the former MP states that he had to borrow money from employees and other associates to cover his expenses during his week-long stay in the UAE. He also suffered “emotional and psychological distress” and “irreparable embarrassment” as a well-known public figure.

As a result of the inconvenience and hardship, Ras Mubarak is demanding $5 million in compensation for the financial and reputational damage caused by MTN Ghana’s failure to provide the agreed-upon services. Additionally, the writ calls for MTN Ghana to cover any legal expenses incurred by Mubarak in pursuing the case.

Read the suit filed