Federal High Court Validates FCCPC’s Authority Over Online Lending Practices

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has resumed the implementation and enforcement of its Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025, after a Federal High Court in Lagos upheld the rules and lifted an interim order that had halted their enforcement.

In a statement on Monday, the Commission said the decision followed a judgment delivered by Justice A.L. Allagoa in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/760/2026, filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria Ltd/Gte (WASPAN).

According to the FCCPC, the court dismissed WASPAN’s originating summons in its entirety, rejected all the reliefs sought and upheld the validity of the DEON Regulations.

The Commission said the court ruled that the regulations were made pursuant to its statutory and constitutional powers and were therefore within its legal authority. It also upheld the specific provisions challenged in the suit and discharged the interim ex parte order that had restrained implementation and enforcement of the regulations.

The FCCPC said the judgment removes the legal obstacle that forced it to suspend implementation of the regulations in April 2026 after complying with the court’s interim directive.

Reacting to the judgment, the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said: “The Commission has always maintained that the rule of law is fundamental to effective regulation and good governance. When the Court issued its interim order, we immediately suspended implementation of the Regulations in full compliance with the Court’s directive. Now that the Court has affirmed the validity of the DEON Regulations and delivered judgment in favour of the Commission, we will continue to discharge our statutory responsibilities faithfully, professionally and in accordance with the law.”

He added: “The DEON Regulations are designed to promote responsible lending, improve regulatory accountability, curb unfair and exploitative practices, and strengthen consumer protection in Nigeria’s digital lending market. Our objective has always been to ensure that innovation and financial inclusion flourish within a transparent, fair and accountable regulatory framework that inspires confidence among consumers, investors and responsible operators alike.”

… Federal High Court Validates FCCPC’s Authority Over Online Lending Practices … Naijaonpoint.