Court Upholds FCCPC's Authority on Medical Negligence

On April 15, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, upheld the authority of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate complaints related to medical negligence. This ruling came in response to a suit filed by Life Bridge Medical Diagnostic Centre Ltd, which challenged the jurisdiction of the FCCPC over healthcare-related complaints.

The company argued that the FCCPC could not act without prior agreement from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. However, Justice Nwite dismissed this claim, stating that the powers of the FCCPC are clearly defined under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act.

He emphasized that the absence of a formal agreement does not limit the FCCPC's statutory authority. Tunji Bello, the FCCPC's Executive Vice Chairman, noted that the decision reinforces consumer rights across sectors, including healthcare, and clarifies that the FCCPC's role complements that of professional regulators.