“Privacy Breach” — Lagos Lawyer Sues Mega Chicken Over Secret Restroom Surveillance Cameras
A Lagos-based legal practitioner and public commentator, Mr. Adebayo Sanni, has filed a lawsuit against popular fast-food outlet Mega Chicken, alleging the unlawful installation of surveillance cameras within the restrooms of its Agidingbi Lagos branch.
In the suit, filed at the High Court of Lagos State under Suit No: ID/20068MFHR/2025, Mr. Sanni, through his counsel Messrs. Olumide Babalola LP, is seeking a declaration that the installation of cameras within a restroom without any form of notice to customers amounts to a gross violation of his fundamental right to privacy as guaranteed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and relevant provisions of the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023.
The applicant contends that during a visit to one of Mega Chicken’s Lagos outlets at Agidingbi, he discovered the presence of surveillance devices installed in the restroom area, allegedly without any prior notification or consent from patrons.
In his supporting affidavit, Mr. Sanni asserts that such an act not only offends the dignity and privacy of customers but also creates an atmosphere of surveillance and intrusion in spaces traditionally understood to be private. The suit prays the court for declaratory, injuctive and compensatory reliefs, among others.
According to Mr Sanni, restrooms are inherently private spaces, hence, installing surveillance cameras there without adequate safeguards or at least conspicuous notices is a blatant violation of constitutional privacy rights and undermines the trust of customers. He further references the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, which imposes obligations on data controllers to ensure lawful, fair, and transparent processing of personal data, including the collection of video footage in sensitive areas.
If successful, the case could have far-reaching implications for corporate surveillance practices in Nigeria, particularly within hospitality and retail industries. Legal experts note that the suit could trigger a broader review of how commercial establishments deploy surveillance technologies in spaces such as restrooms, changing rooms, and other sensitive locations.
At the time of filing this report, the case has not been assigned to any judge of the High Court of Lagos State.
