By Our Reporter
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by Air Peace Limited challenging the authority of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate consumer complaints and issue summons in the course of carrying out its statutory duties.
The airline had approached the court seeking to restrain the FCCPC from investigating passenger complaints and exercising its regulatory powers.
However, in its ruling, Justice James Omotosho affirmed the FCCPC’s legal authority under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 to receive complaints, conduct investigations, and take appropriate regulatory actions where necessary.
The court also upheld the Commission’s powers to summon relevant parties during investigations.
FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, confirmed the judgment in a statement on Monday, describing it as a validation of the Commission’s mandate.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, welcomed the ruling, noting that it reinforces the importance of regulatory oversight in protecting consumers and ensuring fairness in the marketplace.
He explained that the case stemmed from complaints involving unrefunded airfares, flight cancellations, and other service-related issues affecting passengers.
Bello reiterated that consumers are entitled to fair treatment, transparency, and access to redress under the law.
He further clarified that investigations conducted by the Commission are administrative in nature and do not imply guilt, but are meant to establish facts where complaints arise.
He urged businesses in Nigeria to cooperate with regulatory agencies and strengthen internal complaint resolution mechanisms to address consumer concerns promptly.
The FCCPC boss reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, and improving confidence in key service sectors, including aviation.