• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Tribunal Upholds FCCPC’s $220m Fine Against Facebook, WhatsApp Over Sharp Practices Against Nigerians

As Tunji Bello restates commitment to consumers’ protection

by Bode Gbadebo and Leadership News
1 month ago
in News
Fccpc
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, on Friday, delivered its judgement in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming the Commission’s authority and actions in nearly all the contested issues.

Advertisement

The Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission complied with extant laws, discharged its mandate, and exercised its powers within the confines of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). It ruled that the multiple actions by WhatsApp and Meta, for which the Commission made findings of violations, were correctly identified, and that the Commission did not err in making those findings.

In addition to upholding the major aspects of the FCCPC’s Final Order, the Tribunal awarded the sum of $220 million against Meta Platforms Incorporated and WhatsApp LLC as an administrative penalty, and further awarded $35,000 to the FCCPC as cost of investigation.

The Tribunal’s three-member panel was led by Honourable Thomas Okosun.

WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team was led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN), while the FCCPC’s legal team was led by Barr. Babatunde Irukera. Both teams had made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.

RELATED

ABU To Honour Uwais, Fika, Chihombori-Quao

ACF Mourns Uwais, Describes Ex-CJN Jurist Of Repute

6 hours ago
Godly Parenting Summit To Empower Parents For Brighter Future

Godly Parenting Summit To Empower Parents For Brighter Future

7 hours ago

The FCCPC had on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the investigation started in 2020.

The case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.

Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal, challenging both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission.

While ruling on Meta’s appeal, the Tribunal also validated the Commission’s investigative procedures and processes.

The Tribunal resolved Issues 1 to 7 largely in favour of the FCCPC, dismissing the appellants’ objections to the Commission’s findings, orders, and legal competence.

One of the central issues (Issue 3) which alleged a breach of fair hearing, was decided in favour of the Commission, with the Tribunal affirming that the FCCPC fully discharged its quasi-judicial responsibilities by affording the appellants ample opportunity to respond. The Tribunal found no violation of constitutional due process.

On Issue 4, which questioned the Commission’s powers in matters of data protection and privacy, the Tribunal held that the FCCPC acted within its statutory mandate, reaffirming its authority under Section 104 of the FCCPA to regulate competition and consumer protection even in regulated industries.

On Issue 5, which challenged the Commission’s findings regarding Meta’s privacy policies, the Tribunal also resolved in FCCPC’s favour. The Tribunal found no error in the Commission’s conclusions and held that the privacy policy in question did, in fact, offend Nigerian law.

While Issue 7 was largely resolved in favour of the Commission, the Tribunal, however, set aside Order 7 of the Commission’s Final Order, stating that it lacked sufficient legal basis.

While expressing delight at the landmark judgement, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, thanked the Commission’s legal team for their exceptional diligence and forensic skills in assembling evidence and marshalling their argument.

He restated FCCPC’s unwavering commitment to not only championing the rights of Nigerian consumers but also ensuring fair business practices in the country in accordance with FCCPA (2018) and consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel

START EARNING US DOLLARS as a Nigerian ($35,000) monthly. Companies are sacking their workers due to AI (artificial intelligence), business owners are in panic mode. Only the smart will make it. Click here


Tags: FacebookFederal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission's (FCCPC)WhatsApp
SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Adamawa Cancels April Sanitation Exercise For JAMB Exam

Next Post

Akpabio Leads Nigerian Delegation To Pope Francis Funeral In Vatican City

Bode Gbadebo and Leadership News

Bode Gbadebo and Leadership News

You May Like

ABU To Honour Uwais, Fika, Chihombori-Quao
News

ACF Mourns Uwais, Describes Ex-CJN Jurist Of Repute

2025/06/06
Godly Parenting Summit To Empower Parents For Brighter Future
News

Godly Parenting Summit To Empower Parents For Brighter Future

2025/06/06
Eid-al-Adha: No Nation Rises Without Unity, Sacrifice — Shettima
News

Eid-al-Adha: No Nation Rises Without Unity, Sacrifice — Shettima

2025/06/06
Better Days Ahead, Makinde Assures Civil Servants
News

Makinde Advocates 6-year Single-term For Political Office Holders

2025/06/06
Police Investigate Fire Incident At Redeemed Church
News

Fire Guts Section Of Kano Phone Market On Eid Day

2025/06/06
Interim Gov’t Plot: Shehu Sani Taunts DSS Over Claim
News

Hardship: El-Rufai, Amaechi Owe Nigerians Apology — Shehu Sani

2025/06/06
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

ACF Mourns Uwais, Describes Ex-CJN Jurist Of Repute

Tolu Arokodare On Target As Super Eagles Share Spoils Against Russia

Godly Parenting Summit To Empower Parents For Brighter Future

Eid-al-Adha: No Nation Rises Without Unity, Sacrifice — Shettima

Makinde Advocates 6-year Single-term For Political Office Holders

Fire Guts Section Of Kano Phone Market On Eid Day

Hardship: El-Rufai, Amaechi Owe Nigerians Apology — Shehu Sani

Raphinha Named 2024/2025 La Liga Player Of The Season

Benue Gov’t Directs Residents To Vacate Flood-prone Areas

Gabriel Signs New Long-term Deal At Arsenal 

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.