Lawmakers in Nigeria’s House of Representatives have ordered a probe into alleged fraudulent marketing promotions telecommunication firms in the country.

The telecoms firms under probe, it emerged are MTN, Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat.

The legislators said the allegations of “unwholesome” practices by telecom firms had become worrisome as subscribers were complaining about companies shortchanging them on a daily basis.

As such, the lawmakers have directed their committee on communications to investigate the allegations and report back its findings within four weeks.

All four companies are currently running different promos which claim to reward customers.

While calling for a thorough investigation of the issue, two lawmakers who jointly sponsored the motion, drew the attention of the House to allegations of “unethical” practices by telcos that send text messages to subscribers, asking them to partake in certain sales promotions.

The lawmakers alleged that the companies had garnered millions of Naira and that innocent citizens who had not subscribed to some of these “sales gimmicks” were being charged without authorisation and credit refunds were refused when demanded.