The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, has identified the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) as a cornerstone for safeguarding the nation’s business environment and maintaining marketplace integrity.
Speaking Tuesday at the opening of a three-day Competition and Consumer Protection Law Conference at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, the CJN emphasized the Commission’s growing importance in Nigeria’s regulatory landscape.
A Dynamic Legal Frontier
Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that competition and consumer protection law has evolved into one of the most active and litigated fields globally. She attributed this shift to the rise of digital markets, intricate corporate structures, and emerging challenges in consumer rights.
”As the statutory authority responsible for enforcing competition and consumer protection laws, the Commission plays a vital role in safeguarding the integrity of the marketplace,” the CJN stated.
She further stressed that because modern market disputes often involve complex economic data, there is an urgent need for “continuous dialogue and knowledge exchange” between the judiciary and regulators to ensure the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 is effectively interpreted.
The Role of the Courtroom
Echoing the CJN’s sentiments, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, underscored that the judiciary is where legal principles governing the markets are ultimately tested and clarified.
Bello highlighted that the FCCPA 2018 provides a comprehensive framework for:
- Regulating anti-competitive conduct.
- Protecting consumer welfare.
- Reviewing mergers and acquisitions.
- Strengthening market surveillance.
”Technological innovation, digital commerce, and cross-border transactions continue to reshape how markets function,” Bello remarked, adding that courts are increasingly required to evaluate expert testimony and economic evidence to determine market harm.
High-Level Attendance
The conference drew a significant gathering of legal and regulatory heavyweights, including:
- Hon. Justice M. L. Shuaibu, Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal (Akure).
- Hon. Justice B. A. Adejumo, Administrator of the NJI.
- Mr. Babatunde Irukera, former Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC.
- Moyosore Onigbanjo, former Attorney General of Lagos State.
The event aims to bridge the gap between regulatory intent and judicial enforcement as Nigeria navigates an increasingly complex global economy.
