FCCPC resumes digital lending rules after court victory
via Punch Nigeria10 min read
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has resumed the implementation and enforcement of the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025. This follows a Federal High Court judgment delivered on Monday by Justice A.L. Allagoa in Lagos, which upheld the validity of the regulations. The judgment dismissed a suit filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria Ltd/Gte, which had challenged the FCCPC's authority and led to a temporary suspension of the regulations. Ondaje Ijagwu, FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, stated that the court upheld the DEON Regulations as being within the commission's statutory and constitutional powers, and discharged the interim ex parte order that had previously restrained their enforcement. The FCCPC emphasized that the regulations aim to promote responsible lending, improve regulatory accountability, curb unfair and exploitative practices, and strengthen consumer protection in Nigeria's digital lending market, without stifling innovation or limiting financial access.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Oyo State Government has initiated a Climate Literacy and Awareness Programme to educate teachers on environmental education and climate action, with over 300 educators expected to participate. This program, a collaboration between the Global Impact Sustainable Development Enterprise, the Oyo State Ministry of Education, the University of the West of England, Bristol, and the Carbon Literacy Project, aims to enhance teachers' understanding of climate change and environmental sustainability. Ademola Aderinto, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, highlighted teachers as crucial for promoting climate awareness among children, emphasizing their role in shaping future generations. He noted that while climate literacy is not yet a standalone subject, teachers can integrate environmental consciousness into their lessons. The Commissioner also warned about various climate threats beyond flooding, such as heatwaves, land degradation, erratic weather, and food insecurity, stressing that education and proper environmental practices can mitigate their impact. The state has also strengthened environmental regulation enforcement and introduced a whistleblower mechanism for reporting violations. Olusegun Olayiwola, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, represented by Permanent Secretary Toyin Oyinloye, described the program as a strategic investment. Lulu Akindele, Chief Sustainability Officer of Global Impact Sustainable Development Enterprise, stat
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria ALTON has urged the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission FCCPC and the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC to establish a clear framework for regulating airtime and data credit services. ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo made the call following a Federal High Court judgment in Lagos that affirmed the FCCPC's authority to regulate these services alongside the NCC's powers. The court ruled that the relationship between the two regulators is complementary, stating that "concurrency means coexistence, not displacement." The judgment preserved the NCC's exclusive responsibility for telecommunications licensing and technical regulation while affirming the FCCPC's powers under its 2018 Act. Adebayo welcomed the decision, noting it provides clarity for operators, and urged both commissions to engage industry stakeholders through formal consultations before taking enforcement actions. He highlighted that 40 million Nigerians rely on these services and referenced the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council's directive requiring Regulatory Impact Assessments for significant regulatory changes.
Lie Siu Luan, 70, the leader of a baby trafficking ring operating in Indonesia and Singapore, has been sentenced to seven years in prison. Presiding judge Gatot Ardian Agustriono stated that Lie was found guilty of committing crimes for exploitation. The sentence is less than the 10 years prosecutors had sought. Lie had previously admitted to the court that she sent at least 12 babies to Singapore. According to the indictment, she trafficked a baby to Singapore for adoption in 2022, earning approximately S$17,000. Another defendant, Astri Fitrinika, received a sentence of six years and seven months for a similar charge. The arrests occurred last year after a parent reported a baby kidnapping in West Java province. Police rescued several infants held by the syndicate before they could be sold, while other children, rejected by clients in Singapore, were sold within Indonesia, including to adoptive parents in Jakarta.