A Federal High Court in Abuja has upheld the authority of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate consumer complaints and issue summons in line with its statutory mandate.

In a statement released on Monday, the commission said the ruling followed the dismissal of a suit filed by Air Peace Limited, which had challenged the agency’s powers to probe complaints against the airline.

According to the FCCPC, the judgment—delivered by Justice James Omotosho—reaffirmed its authority under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, to receive and assess complaints, and to take appropriate lawful actions, including conducting investigations where necessary.

Reacting to the decision, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the ruling reinforces the importance of regulatory oversight in safeguarding consumer rights and promoting fair market practices.

“The judgment provides useful clarity on the importance of regulatory oversight in protecting consumers and promoting fair market practices,” Bello said.

He noted that the case stemmed from multiple consumer complaints involving unrefunded ticket fares, flight cancellations, and other service-related issues affecting airline passengers.

“Consumers who pay for services are entitled to fair treatment, transparency, and redress in accordance with applicable law,” he added.

Bello further clarified that investigations conducted by the commission are administrative in nature and aimed at establishing facts to determine whether further regulatory action is necessary.

“Investigation is an administrative process intended to establish facts and determine whether further action is warranted. It does not amount to a finding of liability or wrongdoing,” he said.

He emphasized the commission’s commitment to engaging stakeholders in a fair, transparent, and professional manner while ensuring due process at all stages.

“We are committed to engaging all market participants in a fair, professional, and transparent manner, while ensuring due process at every stage of our proceedings,” Bello stated.

The FCCPC also urged businesses operating in Nigeria to cooperate with lawful regulatory processes and to strengthen their internal complaint resolution mechanisms.

Bello reiterated that the commission will continue to operate within its legal mandate to protect consumers, promote competition, and enhance confidence in critical service sectors, including aviation.

In a related development, the commission disclosed in February that it had identified patterns of price manipulation by some domestic airlines during the December 2025 festive period, with fare variations on certain routes reaching as high as ₦405,000.