Lagos, Enugu court judgements reinforce Consumer Protection Act 2018 –Bello

*Tunji Bello, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, says the recent court judgements have reinforced the strength of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 in safeguarding consumers’ rights to quality service

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has welcomed recent court rulings that uphold consumer rights in Nigeria.

The FCCPC notably affirmed the Lagos High Court’s award of ₦5 million in damages against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and the Enugu High Court’s decision declaring Peace Mass Transit’s “no refund” policy unlawful.

Speaking on the development, Mr. Tunji Bello, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of FCCPC, commended the courts for ensuring fair outcomes that strengthen consumer confidence and accountability in the marketplace in Nigeria.

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Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at FCCPC, Monday, October 27, 2025, stated Mr. Bello said the two court judgments reinforced the strength of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.

According to him, the FCCPA 2018 empowers consumers to seek redress, and requires service providers to meet lawful standards of fair service delivery.

The EVC/CEO also commended consumers for exploring lawful channels to pursue justice rather than recourse to self-help.

He further explained that the law provides several ways for consumers to express their grievances, and that these decisions confirmed the courts’ willingness to protect consumer rights in the Nigerian economy.

The Director of Corporate Affairs disclosed between March and August 2025, the Commission facilitated recoveries of over ₦10 billion for consumers across 30 sectors.

This, the FCCPC said, has demonstrated the growing effectiveness of Nigeria’s consumer protection system.

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Bello noted that consistent judicial enforcement complements the market regulatory Commission’s work, and reinforces the message that consumer rights violations attract real consequences.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of FCCPC urged consumers to continue reporting unfair practices through the Commission’s complaint portal, e-mail, or any of its offices nationwide.

According to the Commission, in one of the two decided 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.

The Court as well found that MultiChoice acted unlawfully by cutting off service despite verified payment, causing inconvenience to the claimant and his family.

The court, therefore, ordered immediate reconnection and an extension to cover the period of disconnection, relying on Sections 130, 136, and 142–145 of the FCCPA 2018, which safeguard consumers’ rights to quality service, and make suppliers liable for interrupted or defective delivery.

It said in the second case, the Enugu High Court, under Justice C. O. Ajah, ruled that Peace Mass Transit’s “no refund after payment” policy was illegal and void under Sections 120, 104, and 129(1) of the FCCPA 2018.

The company was ordered to pay ₦500,000 in damages to a passenger, Mr. Tochukwu Odo, whose fare was withheld after an uncompleted trip.

The court also held that service providers must refund consumers when a service is not rendered.

The FCCPC asserted that policies denying refunds to consumers “breach statutory consumer rights.”

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is Nigeria’s primary agency for consumer protection and competition regulation under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.

The Commission promotes fair markets, safeguards consumer rights, and ensures accountability across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

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