The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has applauded recent court rulings affirming consumer rights in Nigeria, describing them as significant milestones for market accountability and consumer confidence.
In separate decisions, the Lagos High Court awarded ₦5 million in damages against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited for the wrongful disconnection of a DStv subscriber, while the Enugu High Court declared Peace Mass Transit’s “no refund after payment” policy unlawful and ordered ₦500,000 in compensation to an affected passenger.
A statement issued by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, quoted the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tunji Bello, as commending the judiciary for upholding fairness and reinforcing the principles of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
According to Bello, the rulings highlight the strength of the FCCPA, which empowers consumers to seek redress and compels service providers to adhere to lawful standards of service delivery.
He also praised consumers for pursuing justice through proper legal and regulatory channels rather than resorting to self-help, noting that the FCCPC provides various platforms for lodging complaints, including its online portal, email, and nationwide offices.
“The consistent judicial enforcement complements the Commission’s regulatory work and reinforces the message that violations of consumer rights carry real consequences,” Bello said. “We encourage consumers to continue reporting unfair practices to ensure accountability and fairness in the marketplace.”
Bello revealed that between March and August this year, the FCCPC facilitated recoveries worth more than ₦10 billion for consumers across 30 sectors, a figure he said reflects the growing effectiveness of Nigeria’s consumer protection framework.
In the Lagos case, Justice R. O. Olukolu ruled that MultiChoice acted unlawfully by disconnecting an active DStv subscription despite verified payment by the claimant, Mr Ben Onuora. The court ordered immediate reconnection, an extension of service to cover the period of disruption, and awarded ₦5 million in general damages, citing sections 130, 136, and 142–145 of the FCCPA (2018), which guarantee quality service and hold providers accountable for interrupted delivery.
In the Enugu case, 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 FCCPA. The transport company was ordered to pay ₦500,000 in damages to Mr Tochukwu Odo after failing to complete a paid journey. The court ruled that service providers must issue refunds when a service is not rendered, stressing that policies denying such rights contravene statutory consumer protections.
Bello reaffirmed that the FCCPC remains Nigeria’s primary agency responsible for ensuring fair competition and protecting consumer rights across all sectors of the economy.
Source; PM News