Two major Nigerian companies Multichoice Nigeria Limited and Peace Mass Transit have been ordered by separate courts to pay damages for violating consumer rights.
The rulings, delivered by courts in Lagos and Enugu, underscore a growing trend of judicial enforcement against unfair business practices and strengthen Nigeria’s consumer protection framework under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
In a statement on Monday, Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), praised the judgments for “upholding fairness, accountability, and confidence in Nigeria’s marketplace.”
“These rulings show the strength of the FCCPA and affirm that consumers can seek justice when their rights are violated,” Bello said.
Multichoice Ordered To Pay ₦5 Million
In one of the cases, the Lagos High Court, presided over by Justice R. O. Olukolu, awarded ₦5 million in general damages to Mr. Ben Onuora, a DStv subscriber wrongfully disconnected from his active subscription.
The court found that Multichoice acted unlawfully by cutting off Mr. Onuora’s service despite verified payment, causing inconvenience to him and his family.
The court further ordered the immediate reconnection of the subscriber’s account and an extension of his viewing period to cover the days lost.
Justice Olukolu cited Sections 130, 136, and 142–145 of the FCCPA 2018, which guarantee consumers’ rights to quality service and hold providers accountable for interrupted or defective service delivery.
In a separate ruling, the Enugu High Court, under Justice C. O. Ajah, declared Peace Mass Transit’s “no refund after payment” policy unlawful and void.
The court ordered the company to pay ₦500,000 in damages to Mr. Tochukwu Odo, a passenger whose fare was withheld after his trip was cut short.
Justice Ajah ruled that service providers must refund payments for unrendered services, stating that denying refunds breaches statutory consumer rights under Sections 104, 120, and 129(1) of the FCCPA.
FCCPC Hails Courts, Warns Service Providers
Bello noted that the FCCPC recovered over ₦10 billion for Nigerian consumers between March and August 2025, reflecting the growing strength of the country’s consumer protection framework.
He emphasized that “consistent judicial enforcement complements the Commission’s work and sends a clear message — consumer rights violations attract real consequences.”
The FCCPC urged consumers to report unfair treatment through its official complaint portal, email, or offices nationwide.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting fair markets, safeguarding consumer interests, and holding service providers accountable across all sectors.
