Court Upholds FCCPC's Authority Over Healthcare Complaints

On April 15, 2023, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, ruled in favor of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming its jurisdiction to investigate complaints against healthcare providers. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1019/2021, involved Lifebridge Medical Diagnostic Centre Ltd, which questioned the FCCPC's authority to investigate allegations of medical negligence without first establishing a concurrent jurisdiction with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

Justice Nwite dismissed this claim, stating that healthcare services are subject to the oversight of the FCCPC under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018. The court clarified that the absence of a formal agreement with regulatory bodies does not limit the FCCPC's statutory powers.

Tunji Bello, the FCCPC's Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, described the ruling as significant for reinforcing consumer rights and ensuring accountability in the healthcare sector.