A Federal High Court judgment has affirmed the validity of the rules for the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to resume the implementation and enforcement of the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025 (DEON Regulations).
The FCCPC disclosed this in a statement on Monday, July 20.
It said the decision followed a judgment delivered by Justice A.L. Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/760/2026 filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN).
According to the FCCPC, the court dismissed the plaintiff’s originating summons in its entirety, refused all the reliefs sought, and held that the DEON Regulations were made under the Commission’s statutory and constitutional powers.
The court also upheld the validity of the specific provisions of the regulations challenged in the suit. It discharged the interim ex parte order that had restrained their implementation and enforcement.
READ ALSO:
- Nigeria’s 900 MDAs Are Choking Businesses- Group
- Electoral Act 2026: Tinubu Defends Assent as Opposition, Civil Groups Protest
- CPPE Backs FG’s Social Intervention Programmes, Urges Transparent Implementation
- Oil Workers Resume as Unions Call Off Strike – NUPRC
The Commission said the ruling removed the legal obstacle that had led to the temporary suspension of the regulations, making them fully operational and enforceable once again.
Pinnacle Daily reports that WASPAN had challenged the FCCPC’s authority to issue and implement the regulations.
Following an interim court order issued in April 2026, the Commission said it immediately suspended implementation and enforcement of the rules in compliance with the court’s directive.
Reacting to the judgment, the FCCPC’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.
“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.”
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X