From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has lauded recent landmark court judgments in Lagos and Enugu States, describing them as significant reinforcements of Nigeria’s consumer protection framework under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
Ondaje Ijagwu, the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, the FCCPC on Monday, said the rulings reaffirm the judiciary’s vital role in safeguarding consumer rights and promoting fairness in the marketplace.
The Commission particularly commended the Lagos High Court’s award of N5 million in damages against Multichoice Nigeria Limited and the Enugu High Court’s declaration that Peace Mass Transit’s “no refund” policy was unlawful.
It said both decisions demonstrate judicial support for accountability and equity in consumer transactions.
FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, praised the courts for their commitment to justice, noting that the judgments “strengthen consumer confidence, protect lawful expectations, and send a clear message that violations will attract real consequences.”
Bello also applauded consumers who pursued legal redress rather than resorting to self-help, stressing that the FCCPA provides several channels for lodging complaints.
He said the rulings affirm the judiciary’s readiness to uphold consumer rights and reinforce public trust in regulatory institutions.
“Between March and August 2025, the Commission facilitated recoveries of over N10 billion for consumers across 30 sectors.
“These judicial outcomes complement our regulatory work and underscore that unfair practices will not go unpunished,” Bello stated.
In one of the cases, Justice R.O. Olukolu of the Lagos High Court ordered Multichoice Nigeria Limited to pay N5 million in general damages to a DSTV subscriber, Mr. Ben Onuora, for the wrongful disconnection of his verified active subscription. The court held that the company acted unlawfully and caused undue hardship to the claimant and his family.
Justice Olukolu further directed Multichoice to reconnect the subscriber immediately and extend his subscription to cover the disconnection period, citing Sections 130, 136, and 142–145 of the FCCPA 2018, which guarantee consumers’ rights to quality service 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 2018.
The company was ordered to pay N500,000 in damages to a passenger, Mr. Tochukwu Odo, whose fare was withheld after an uncompleted trip.
The court ruled that service providers must refund consumers when a service is not rendered, adding that any policy denying refunds violates statutory consumer rights.
The FCCPC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability, promoting fair market practices, and protecting consumers across all sectors of the economy.
