A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has the power to investigate consumers’ complaints against banks and other financial institutions.
The court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, dismissed a suit filed by United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, which had challenged the Commission’s jurisdiction in matters involving a commercial bank licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). UBA’s case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1972/2025, was thrown out in its entirety and the bank was fined N2 million for filing what the judge described as a frivolous and unmeritorious action.
FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, hailed the judgment as “a big victory for bank customers,” saying it strengthens advocacy for consumer rights in the financial sector.
In its statement signed by Corporate Affairs Director Ondaje Ijagwu, the Commission explained that Justice Omotosho affirmed its statutory authority to receive and investigate consumer complaints involving banks and other financial institutions. The court held that, with respect to consumer complaints, no other agency in Nigeria is saddled with that responsibility except the FCCPC.
Justice Omotosho examined 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, which UBA relied on, but still upheld FCCPC’s powers in competition and consumer protection matters in the financial sector.
He cited Sections 1, 2, 17(e) and 104 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, noting that Section 104 expressly states that in all matters relating to competition and consumer protection, the FCCPA overrides any other law, subject only to the Constitution.
Bello said the verdict provides clear judicial guidance on how sector‑specific regulation works alongside the national consumer protection framework, and reinforces the right of consumers in every sector, including banking, to accessible complaint and redress channels.
He added that the ruling is also important for businesses, as it clarifies that regulatory accountability and consumer confidence go hand in hand in building a healthy market. The FCCPC pledged to continue engaging banks and other service providers professionally and fairly, while encouraging them to strengthen internal complaint resolution mechanisms.
About the author
Christian killings: Nigeria hiring lobbyists to mask insecurity — Ted Cruz
Cruz said Nigeria’s engagement of a Washington-based lobbying firm was a public relations move meant to soften criticism from the United States rather than confront the insecurity crisis at home. He said Nigerian officials were trying to influence opinion in Washington while failing to address allegations of attacks on Christians and other vulnerable groups. The senator has been at the forefront of calls for sanctions and accountability over alleged religious persecution in Nigeria. His proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 seeks to hold officials responsible for what he describes as the enabling of mass violence against Christians. Reports also said Nigeria signed a $9 million lobbying contract with DCI Group, a US public affairs firm, after being designated a country of particular concern by President Donald Trump. The controversy adds to growing diplomatic tension between Abuja and some […]
Three Ansaru terrorists linked to Oriire abductions get life jail
Justice Salim Ibrahim delivered the ruling against Abdulrazak Umar, alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, after they pleaded guilty to several terrorism-related charges brought by the Department of State Services (DSS). The defendants were accused of belonging to Darul Salam, a proscribed group linked to Ansaru, and of working with bandits who abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire. They faced a 10‑count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information and incitement through extremist religious ideology. Court documents showed that Umar, in particular, admitted guilt to counts involving training and instructing terror group members via messaging platforms and pushing radical ideology. Justice Ibrahim invoked the maximum penalty of life imprisonment on key counts after the three men admitted being part of the network behind the high‑profile Oriire school kidnappings. […]
Iran army says it attacked US bases in Bahrain, Jordan
The Iranian military said the operation targeted several US facilities in the Gulf and the Middle East, marking another escalation in the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Washington. Earlier reports had also said Iranian forces struck US-linked targets in Kuwait and other neighbouring states as part of a wider retaliation campaign.zeenews Iran has repeatedly argued that its attacks are a response to US strikes on its territory and a warning against further escalation. Bahrain and Jordan have previously reported intercepting projectiles fired toward their territory, with no immediate casualties confirmed in those earlier incidents. The renewed claims underline how the confrontation is spreading across the Gulf, putting pressure on regional security and raising fears of a broader war.
US lawmaker seeks Nnamdi Kanu’s release
James, who represents Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, urged the Nigerian government to free Kanu and respect his fundamental rights. He described Kanu’s continued detention as a violation of international human rights norms and cited previous United Nations opinions on the case. “The detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a clear example. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called for his unconditional release, yet he remains in solitary confinement,” the lawmaker said during his remarks on Capitol Hill. He also accused the Nigerian authorities of enabling the “slaughter of innocent Nigerians” and called on Washington to take a firmer stand on abuses. Kanu, leader of IPOB, has been held in Nigeria on terrorism-related and secessionist charges, despite repeated legal and political appeals for his release. In November 2025, 44 federal lawmakers in Nigeria wrote President Bola Tinubu, asking him to […]
Enugu Air aircraft suffers runway excursion at Benin Airport
The incident involved one of Enugu Air’s Embraer regional jets, which veered off the runway after touchdown and came to rest in a grassy area beside the runway. The airline confirmed that the aircraft had been secured and that aviation authorities had been notified in line with standard procedure. Enugu Air said all 63 passengers and five crew members were safely evacuated, with no injuries or casualties recorded. The carrier added that it was assessing the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the incident, while warning that some flight schedules could be adjusted temporarily. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau is expected to probe the incident, while the NCAA will carry out regulatory oversight to determine what caused the runway excursion. The temporary closure of the runway also disrupted operations at Benin Airport
Court sentences three to life imprisonment over Orire school kidnapping
Justice Salim Ibrahim convicted the defendants, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani, after they pleaded guilty to some of the charges brought against them by the Federal Government. The three men were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.vanguardngr+2 Prosecutors said the convicts were linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire between January and May 2026 and were accused of concealing information about the masterminds of the attack. They were also alleged to belong to Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru.dailypost+3 The incident happened on May 15, when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities, abducting 46 people in total. Security forces later rescued 44 of the victims and […]
Related
Christian killings: Nigeria hiring lobbyists to mask insecurity — Ted Cruz
Cruz said Nigeria’s engagement of a Washington-based lobbying firm was a public relations move meant to soften criticism from the United States rather than confront the insecurity crisis at home. He said Nigerian officials were trying to influence opinion in Washington while failing to address allegations of attacks on Christians and other vulnerable groups. The senator has been at the forefront of calls for sanctions and accountability over alleged religious persecution in Nigeria. His proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 seeks to hold officials responsible for what he describes as the enabling of mass violence against Christians. Reports also said Nigeria signed a $9 million lobbying contract with DCI Group, a US public affairs firm, after being designated a country of particular concern by President Donald Trump. The controversy adds to growing diplomatic tension between Abuja and some […]
Three Ansaru terrorists linked to Oriire abductions get life jail
Justice Salim Ibrahim delivered the ruling against Abdulrazak Umar, alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, after they pleaded guilty to several terrorism-related charges brought by the Department of State Services (DSS). The defendants were accused of belonging to Darul Salam, a proscribed group linked to Ansaru, and of working with bandits who abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire. They faced a 10‑count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information and incitement through extremist religious ideology. Court documents showed that Umar, in particular, admitted guilt to counts involving training and instructing terror group members via messaging platforms and pushing radical ideology. Justice Ibrahim invoked the maximum penalty of life imprisonment on key counts after the three men admitted being part of the network behind the high‑profile Oriire school kidnappings. […]
US lawmaker seeks Nnamdi Kanu’s release
James, who represents Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, urged the Nigerian government to free Kanu and respect his fundamental rights. He described Kanu’s continued detention as a violation of international human rights norms and cited previous United Nations opinions on the case. “The detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a clear example. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called for his unconditional release, yet he remains in solitary confinement,” the lawmaker said during his remarks on Capitol Hill. He also accused the Nigerian authorities of enabling the “slaughter of innocent Nigerians” and called on Washington to take a firmer stand on abuses. Kanu, leader of IPOB, has been held in Nigeria on terrorism-related and secessionist charges, despite repeated legal and political appeals for his release. In November 2025, 44 federal lawmakers in Nigeria wrote President Bola Tinubu, asking him to […]
Enugu Air aircraft suffers runway excursion at Benin Airport
The incident involved one of Enugu Air’s Embraer regional jets, which veered off the runway after touchdown and came to rest in a grassy area beside the runway. The airline confirmed that the aircraft had been secured and that aviation authorities had been notified in line with standard procedure. Enugu Air said all 63 passengers and five crew members were safely evacuated, with no injuries or casualties recorded. The carrier added that it was assessing the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the incident, while warning that some flight schedules could be adjusted temporarily. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau is expected to probe the incident, while the NCAA will carry out regulatory oversight to determine what caused the runway excursion. The temporary closure of the runway also disrupted operations at Benin Airport
Court sentences three to life imprisonment over Orire school kidnapping
Justice Salim Ibrahim convicted the defendants, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani, after they pleaded guilty to some of the charges brought against them by the Federal Government. The three men were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.vanguardngr+2 Prosecutors said the convicts were linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire between January and May 2026 and were accused of concealing information about the masterminds of the attack. They were also alleged to belong to Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru.dailypost+3 The incident happened on May 15, when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities, abducting 46 people in total. Security forces later rescued 44 of the victims and […]
Reps to ONSA: explain why you ignored alert on PFIPC
The House of Representatives has called on the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to explain why it allegedly ignored an alert over the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Lawmakers said the issue has raised serious concerns about how the alleged agency appeared in the federal budget despite questions over its legality and existence. The House wants ONSA and other relevant officials to clarify what actions were taken after the warning was reportedly raised. The development is part of a wider probe into the phantom PFIPC, which has drawn public criticism over budget transparency and verification procedures. Lawmakers say they are determined to get to the root of the matter and ensure that such irregularities do not recur in future appropriation exercises.