FCCPC Obeys Exparte Order Over Digital Lending

Temporary relief came for airtime lenders at the weekend following a statement by the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission (FCCPC) to obey an exparte order mandating it to suspend the enforcement of the 2025 digital lending regulations.

The order was made by Lagos Federal High Court presided over by Justice A.L. Allagoa.

Exparte orders last for 14 days.

The Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association of Nigeria (WASPAN) earlier filed the suit challenging the enforcement of the Digital, Electronic Online or Non-traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 (DEON Regulations.

However, in a statement signed by its director of corporate services, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, the FCCPC disclosed that its legal team had been directed to immediately challenge the competence of the order.

The FCCPC statement read in part:

“The commission has since been served with an Ex-parte order, of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, coram Hon. Justice A.L. Allagoa, made on the 15th day of April, 2026 restraining/suspending the implementation of the regulations.

“As a law abiding institution, the commission, in deference and in obedience to the rule of law, hereby suspends the implementation and the enforcement of the DEON REGULATIONS 2025. The commission has also given its solicitors firm instructions to challenge the Order and the competence of the suit.”