Humanitarian

Nigerian Courts Slam Multichoice, Peace Mass Transit With Damages in Landmark Consumer Rights Rulings

Helen Okoro 4 months ago 3 min read

By : Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro

In a pair of landmark judgments hailed as victories for consumer protection in Nigeria, courts in Lagos and Enugu have ordered Multichoice Nigeria Limited and Peace Mass Transit to pay damages for violating the rights of their customers. The rulings, which have drawn praise from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), mark a significant step in enforcing accountability among service providers in the country

In Lagos, Justice R. O. Olukolu of the State High Court found Multichoice guilty of unlawfully disconnecting a DStv subscriber, Mr. Ben Onuora, despite verified payment for his subscription. The court awarded ₦5 million in general damages to the aggrieved customer and ordered the immediate reconnection of his service, as well as an extension to cover the period of wrongful disconnection.

According to the judgment, Multichoice acted in violation of Sections 130, 136, and 142–145 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), 2018 — provisions that guarantee consumers’ rights to fair service, quality delivery, and protection against exploitation. Justice Olukolu held that the company’s actions caused “undue inconvenience and distress” to Mr. Onuora and his family, despite his prompt and verifiable payment for services.

In a related development, the Enugu State High Court, presided over by Justice C. O. Ajah, declared Peace Mass Transit’s “no refund after payment” policy illegal and void under Nigerian consumer protection law. The court ruled in favor of a passenger, Mr. Tochukwu Odo, who was denied a refund after his trip was abruptly canceled.

Justice Ajah ordered the company to pay ₦500,000 in damages and emphasized that service providers have a legal duty to refund consumers when services are not rendered. He cited Sections 120, 104, and 129(1) of the FCCPA 2018, noting that any policy that denies refunds constitutes a direct violation of consumer rights.

Reacting to the twin judgments, the FCCPC, in a statement signed by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, commended the courts for “upholding justice and reaffirming the strength of Nigeria’s consumer protection framework.” The statement quoted the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tunji Bello, who praised the rulings as “a testament to the effectiveness of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act in protecting citizens from unfair practices.”

“These judgments show the growing strength of consumer protection laws in Nigeria,” Mr. Bello said. “They reinforce the principle that every service provider must deliver what they promise and that consumers have the right to seek redress when treated unfairly.”

He further urged Nigerians to continue lodging complaints through the FCCPC’s online portal, email channels, and physical offices, rather than resorting to self-help or social media outrage. “The law provides several lawful channels for addressing consumer grievances, and these rulings demonstrate that the courts are willing to stand firmly with consumers,” Bello added.

The FCCPC revealed that between March and August 2025, it facilitated recoveries exceeding ₦10 billion for consumers across 30 sectors — a record that reflects rising awareness and enforcement of consumer rights in the country.

According to the Commission, consistent judicial enforcement of the FCCPA complements its regulatory efforts and sends a strong signal that consumer-rights violations now carry real financial and reputational consequences.

“These judgments are not isolated victories; they are proof that the law works when consumers stand up for their rights,” Bello said. “They also remind businesses that compliance is not optional — fair service delivery is the foundation of a sustainable marketplace.”

With these rulings, both Multichoice Nigeria and Peace Mass Transit join the growing list of companies facing legal and financial penalties for disregarding consumer rights — a development the FCCPC believes will drive a culture of greater accountability and fairness in Nigeria’s service industries.