Court Upholds FCCPC's Authority on Airline Pricing Complaints

On June 29, 2023, the Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice B.F.M. Nyako, upheld the authority of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate consumer complaints related to airline ticket pricing.

The court dismissed a suit filed by Air Peace Limited that challenged the commission's power to investigate pricing complaints, asserting that the FCCPC operates within its statutory mandate as outlined in the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) of 2018. The court clarified that the commission's investigative powers are distinct from price regulation and do not require the President of Nigeria to invoke price control provisions before the FCCPC can act.

Justice Nyako's ruling emphasized the importance of the FCCPC's role in addressing consumer complaints and maintaining market conduct. Mr. Tunji Bello, the FCCPC's Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, described the judgment as a significant affirmation of the commission's statutory responsibilities.