The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has commended recent court rulings that reinforced consumer rights in Nigeria, including the Lagos High Court’s ₦5 million award against Multichoice Nigeria Limited and the Enugu High Court’s decision invalidating Peace Mass Transit’s “no refund” policy.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, described the judgments as a reflection of the strength of Nigeria’s consumer protection framework and the effectiveness of judicial enforcement under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
Mr. Bello praised the courts for delivering “fair outcomes that strengthen consumer confidence and accountability in the marketplace,” adding that the rulings affirm the FCCPA’s provisions empowering consumers to seek redress and compelling service providers to maintain lawful standards of fair service delivery.
He also lauded consumers for pursuing justice through legal channels rather than self-help, noting that the law provides several avenues for grievance redress. “Between March and August 2025, the Commission facilitated recoveries of more than ₦10 billion for consumers across 30 sectors, demonstrating the growing effectiveness of Nigeria’s consumer protection system,” he said.
According to the FCCPC, Justice R. O. Olukolu of the Lagos High Court awarded ₦5 million in damages to a DStv subscriber, Mr. Ben Onuora, for the wrongful disconnection of his active subscription by Multichoice. The court held that the company acted unlawfully by cutting off service despite verified payment and ordered immediate reconnection and an extension of the subscription to cover the period of disconnection.
In the Enugu High Court, Justice C. O. Ajah ruled that Peace Mass Transit’s “no refund after payment” policy was illegal under the FCCPA, ordering the company to pay ₦500,000 in damages to a passenger, Mr. Tochukwu Odo, whose fare was withheld after an uncompleted trip.
Mr. Bello said consistent judicial enforcement complements the Commission’s regulatory efforts and sends a clear message that violations of consumer rights carry real consequences. He urged Nigerians to continue reporting unfair practices through the FCCPC complaint portal, email, or its offices nationwide.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting fair markets, safeguarding consumer rights, and ensuring accountability across all sectors.
