By Francis Kadiri, Abuja.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has hailed two recent landmark court rulings as major victories for consumer rights in Nigeria, describing them as strong affirmations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
The Commission, in a statement issued on Monday by its director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the judgments by the Lagos and Enugu High Courts underscore the growing strength of Nigeria’s consumer protection regime.
FCCPC executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Tunji Bello, commended the courts for ensuring fair outcomes that enhance consumer confidence and accountability in the marketplace.
“These judgments demonstrate the strength of the FCCPA, which empowers consumers to seek redress and compels service providers to meet lawful standards of fair service delivery,” Bello said.
He also praised the consumers who pursued justice through lawful channels rather than resorting to self-help, noting that the law provides multiple avenues for consumers to express grievances.
“The courts’ readiness to enforce consumer rights is a clear signal that violations now carry real consequences,” he added.
…Landmark Judgements
In one of the cases, the Lagos High Court, presided over by Justice R. O. Olukolu, awarded ₦5 million in general damages to a DStv subscriber, Mr. Ben Onuora, for the wrongful disconnection of his active subscription by Multichoice Nigeria Limited.
The Court found that Multichoice unlawfully cut off service despite verified payment, causing undue inconvenience to the claimant and his family. It ordered the company to immediately reconnect the subscriber and extend his subscription period to cover the days lost.
The judgement relied on Sections 130, 136, and 142–145 of the FCCPA 2018, which guarantee consumers’ rights to quality service and hold suppliers accountable for defective or interrupted delivery.
In the second ruling, the Enugu High Court, under Justice C. O. Ajah, declared Peace Mass Transit’s “no refund after payment” policy illegal and void under Sections 120, 104, and 129(1) of the same Act.
The Court ordered the company to pay ₦500,000 in damages to a passenger, Mr. Tochukwu Odo, whose fare was withheld after an uncompleted trip. The Court held that service providers must refund payments for services not rendered, and that any policy denying refunds violates statutory consumer rights.
Mr. Bello noted that between March and August 2025, the Commission facilitated recoveries of over ₦10 billion for consumers across 30 sectors, reflecting the growing effectiveness of Nigeria’s consumer protection system.
He emphasized that judicial enforcement complements the Commission’s regulatory work and reinforces the principle that consumer rights are non-negotiable.
Bello urged Nigerians to continue reporting unfair practices through the FCCPC complaint portal, email, or any of its offices nationwide, assuring that every legitimate grievance will receive due attention.
“Consumer protection is a shared responsibility, and these court rulings show that justice is accessible and effective under the FCCPA,” he said.
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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is Nigeria’s primary agency for consumer protection and competition regulation. Established under the FCCPA 2018, the Commission promotes fair markets, safeguards consumer rights, and ensures accountability across all sectors of the economy.
