The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has secured a major legal victory after a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit filed by United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc challenging its authority to investigate consumer complaints against banks.
In a judgement delivered by Justice James Omotosho in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1972/2025, the court affirmed that the FCCPC is legally empowered to handle consumer protection matters involving financial institutions, including commercial banks licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
UBA had approached the court seeking to determine whether, in view of Section 251(1)(d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 65(1)(a) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, the FCCPC could validly exercise jurisdiction over banks and their operations, including financial products and services.
But Justice Omotosho rejected the argument, holding that the provisions relied upon by the bank did not override the FCCPC’s statutory mandate in matters of consumer protection and competition.
The court further held that the Commission remains the appropriate agency to receive and investigate consumer complaints in Nigeria’s financial sector.
“There is no other agency in Nigeria saddled with this responsibility except the FCCPC. No portion of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act gives such powers to the Central Bank of Nigeria, nor does the Central Bank of Nigeria Act,” the judge stated.
“The FCCPC is therefore the proper agency to investigate such consumer complaints,” he added, affirming that the Commission is “vested with statutory powers to inquire into consumer protection issues involving customers and banks.”
The court also cited Sections 1, 2, 17(e) and 104 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, noting that the law gives the Commission broad authority over competition and consumer protection matters.
Section 104 of the Act, which was referenced in the judgement, states that: “Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law but subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in all matters relating to competition and consumer protection, the provisions of this Act shall override the provisions of any other law.”
Consequently, the court dismissed UBA’s suit in its entirety and imposed a ₦2 million fine against the bank for what it described as “bringing a frivolous and unmeritorious case against the defendant.”
Reacting to the judgement, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, described the ruling as a significant milestone in the Commission’s consumer rights advocacy, particularly within the banking sector.
“It’s a big victory for bank customers who have for long endured unfair treatment,” he said.
Bello noted that the judgement provides judicial clarity on the relationship between sector regulators and the FCCPC’s consumer protection mandate under the law.
He added that the ruling reinforces confidence that consumers across all sectors, including financial services, have access to lawful complaint and redress mechanisms.
According to him, the decision is also significant for businesses, as it strengthens the link between regulatory accountability and consumer confidence in the marketplace.
The FCCPC boss further assured that the Commission will continue to engage financial institutions professionally and in line with due process, while encouraging stronger internal complaint resolution systems within banks.